MARTIAL LAW SPECIAL AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 EDITORS: RAPHAEL C. DELA CRUZ AND KEZIAH MARU Z. PASION LAYOUT ARTIST: JANIS M. VILLAVICENCIO
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Martial Law Special
Generations held at gunpoint Four decades apart, the 1972 and the 2017 Martial Law experiences are told through the lens of three Mindanaoans to reveal stories that have yet to come to light. BY AISHA C. SAID AND JUSTINE RAMIREZ ILLUSTRATION BY ANDY GRANDA
M I N DA N AO ’ S E T H N IC minorities have long been victims of state violence. In 1968, a massacre of 23 Muslims sparked the creation of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Conflict between groups like the MNLF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would escalate under the late dictator Marcos’ Martial Law, costing thousands of lives. Nearly five decades later, President Duterte has ordered airstrikes, encouraged the harassment of dissenters, and ultimately declared Martial Law across Mindanao in 2017 to restore peace in the region. As military-inflicted human rights violations have soared in their communities, Moro and Lumad activists tell the unheard struggles of indigenous peoples under both Marcos’ and Duterte’s Martial Law. Their experiences as both citizens and civic leaders will narrate how the AFP’s abuse has ruined lives then and now, as well as measure the prospect of achieving justice for its victims. SCARS NEVER FORGOTTEN At age 64, Abina Ramboa vividly recalls her days as a Moro high school graduate in Kiamba, Sarangani at the time of the Martial Law declaration in 1972. “‘Pag pumupunta [ang mga sundalo] sa bahay...kunwari mangungumusta, iba yung pakay nila lalo ‘pag nakakakita sila ng babae. So tinatago kami ng parents namin at the age of 15 (When soldiers would visit homes pretending to do rounds, they had ulterior motives, especially if they saw girls. So my parents hid us at the age of 15).” Ramboa expounds that the threat of assault was so terrifying that her sisters hid in the mountains among the Lumads. By 1976, Ramboa was working in General Santos City, where her family would reunite in 1979 after a massacre targeting her tribe led to her uncle’s death and her community’s displacement. As her mother and siblings evacuated by sea, they would witness the massacre of 10 teenagers by members of the AFP’s 57th Infantry Battalion and escape an airstrike before reaching safety. Ramboa described how her mother lamented at the sight of soldiers: “‘Maraming, marami,’ sabi...
ng nanay ko, ‘Akala ko wala na akong makikitang militar y… [pero] andito rin pala sila!’ (‘There were so many,’ said my mother, ‘I thought I would no longer see the military, but they’re here too!’)” Some of Ramboa’s siblings could not board the packed evacuation boat and fled to the town of Maitum, where relatives helped them reach General Santos. They hiked for weeks in the mountains to avoid soldiers by the roads. “Talagang papatayin yung mga bata...lalo na matunugan nilang Moro (The kids really would have been killed, especially if they were found to be Moro), ” Ramboa said,
violence in parts of Mindanao persists to date. Suara Bangsamoro spokesperson Amirah Ali Lidasan recounts how massacres, sexual assault, mass displacement, and looting of ancestral homes are only some of many typical abuses. As a Moro leader, she says her community was initially optimistic about President Duterte’s administration, believing his hunger to correct injustice in Mindanao would make him their champion. Lidasan even notes how Duterte had close ties with Moro groups and leaders in Davao. However, their hope was
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[Sa] pagdeclare [ni Duterte] ng Martial Law sa Mindanao... nagbukas ng isip ang mga tao... that this is a very punitive president, at ang pinupunish niya is...the community. ABINA RAMBOA FOUNDER OF THE MORO WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION BASED IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY
adding that her siblings had to rely on passers-by for food and clothing along their journey. Under the 1972 Martial Law, General Santos City was beset with extrajudicial killings, then known as salvaging. As young activists at the time, Ramboa and one of her sisters formed a group of widows in the area to accompany residents if they were taken by soldiers for questioning. “Pag may pinick-up...20, 30, [na babae]... sasamahan nang saan sila dadalhin. (When someone is picked up, about 20 or 30 women would join them to where they are taken).” However, while the women had once saved many from salvaging, Ramboa remarks that doing so today has grown difficult: “Ang pinakamadalas na kasi... wala nang tanong tanong pa… ‘pag nagustuhan [kang] patayin [ng military]...madali nalang ang pumatay (Usually, there are no more questions asked. If the military wants to kill you, it will be quick).” PRISONERS IN THEIR OWN LAND Although Marcos’ Martial Law ended in 1986, military-perpetrated
lost when airstrikes wrecked towns in Lanao del Sur, Sulu, and Maguindanao. “[Sa] pag-declare [ni Duterte] ng Martial Law sa Mindanao...nagbukas ng isip ang mga tao...that this is a very punitive president, at ang pinupunish niya is...the community (When Durterte declared Martial Law in Mindanao, people realised that this is a very punitive president, and he punishes the community),” Lidasan says. Lumad communities of Southern Mindanao have also had their share of experiences under men with guns and violence. Rose Hayahay, a 21-year-old Lumad Bakwit teacher of Salugpungan, formed the Save Our Schools Network together with other Lumad school teachers as a movement against the forced closure of 176 Lumad schools during the 2017 Martial Law. Although the mandate was lifted in 2019, Hayahay shares that human rights violations such as forced incarceration, aerial bombings, and physical assault in their villages continue today—one of these incidents being an indiscriminate firing which led to the murder of a teacher in a school during class
hours. While hundreds of such cases have been documented, many violations are left unreported by datus who struggle with seeking help. These are just a few of the many cases that the indigenous people are subjected to under the AFP, anywhere in the country. “Hindi ito isolated case sa Mindanao... kapag dumidepensa ka sa lupa, karapatan, at hustisya... talagang babansagan kang terorista (This is not only an isolated case in Mindanao. When you defend your land, rights, and justice, you will be tagged as a terrorist),” Hayahay points out. THE HOPE FOR HEALING Decades after the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, efforts to compensate the era’s survivors remain futile. Currently, the government’s Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board has only approved 14% of the 75,749 filed claims due to a lack of “substantial evidence.” Ramboa stresses the difficulty of filing legal papers and proof of victimhood under Marcos’ regime, given the power asymmetry between civilians and the police. “Marami ring na-deny na totoong biktima (Numerous actual victims were denied),” she points out. Today, Mindanaoan ethnic communities remain vulnerable to the unceasing presence and exploitation by the military. Deprived of retributive and rehabilitative remedy from disparity and abuse, the pursuit of justice for Mindanaoan Martial Law victims has been left to civic efforts such as Ramboa’s, Lidasan’s, and Hayahay’s. Their collective persistence to defend their brethren-victims’ dignities to hold due entities liable is what keeps the trajectory of communal healing alive. For Hayahay, the feeling of fear is inevitable, but she believes in using this as motivation to continue lobbying for justic on behalf of the indigenous people. “Kasi dapat hindi ito yung situation at kalagayan na nararapat para sa mga katutubo na gusto lang ay makapag-aral, makapagbasa, at makapagsulat (This is not what the lumads—whose only wish is to study, read, and write—deserve),” she emphasizes. More than demanding justice for military abuse survivors, Lidasan remarks that her work especially aims to forge a conscious and involved society. They ask that the Filipino youth “extend [their] solidarity,” pay attention, and involve themselves in the realities of their Mindanaoan countrymen.
The GUIDON | August-September 2020
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ILLUSTRATIONS BY JANIS M. VILLAVICENCIO
Pressed for words Since Martial Law, journalists have been constantly hushed to keep corruption, violence, and oppression under wraps. In their stead, artists lead the fight to hold truth to power through their craft. BY ENZO LAGAMON AND LIAM ISAIAH LAO
W HEN FIGURES of power push the press to silence, the truth fades out from national consciousness. The Philippines has witnessed this silencing before: Once under the dictatorial rule of Ferdinand Marcos, and once more today, as ABS-CBN is shut down for the second time in history. Histor y has proven that a muzzled press can lead to dire consequences: Thousands of jobs lost, narratives left muted, and truths tossed into the fog of obscurity. However, history has also revealed that the fight to defend press freedom does not lie solely in the hands of the silenced journalists—it also finds refuge in the artists that speak truths to power in their stead. SILENCE MEANS DEATH The face of suppression is one that has long knocked on the media’s doors. On September 28, 1972, within the f irst week of Marcos’ Martial Law, the Department of National Defense seized and silenced numerous privately-owned media outlets such as ABS-CBN and
Channel 5. Various acclaimed journalists and publishers such as Teodoro Locsin Sr. and Chino Roces, among others, were also ordered “neutralized.” The media and its members were defanged—leaving the stories that needed to be told too quiet to be heard. Journalist and Audience Development Head for ABS-CBN News Digital A rlene Burgos shares that media suppression spells danger for the health of our democracy. “[...] [The news]...is the currency we use in transacting in a democracy,” she says. Furthermore, Burgos asserts that without the media’s critical reportage, citizens lose a vital source of information to guide them in electing public of f icia ls a nd hold ing them accountable. She stresses, “If [the ability for the citizenry to be informed] is under threat or is undermined, we will not be able to enjoy all the other freedoms like our freedom of expression, as all our other liberties are rooted in the freedom of the press.” Today, contemporary Philippine media holds more power in speaking critically of the government compared to its state during the Martial Law era—as evidenced by journalists’ resounding denunciation of the ABS-CBN shutdown in July. Burgos stresses that journalists now “[operate] under a
regimen of free press,” which did not exist under Marcos’ dictatorship. The advent of social media has also made news more accessible to regular citizens— however, Burgos warns that it is “a double-edged sword.” “In the hands of the abusive, the reckless, the foolish, and the enemy of democracy, social media could be subverted and undermined, and used as a dangerous weapon to dumb down the people and feed them lies,” she asserts. In spite of the freedom of information that post-Marcos administrations championed, media suppression’s ominous re-emergence—as evidenced by the ABS-CBN shutdown slated to deprive millions of Filipinos from information—suggests that defending the institutions that comprise our democracy is a battle that journalists cannot fight alone. “WALA NANG DIYARYO” With journalists’ storied history with media suppression, artists have rushed in to rally behind the fight to draw and to hold the line through their craft. Filipino writer Jose Dalisay Jr. recounts his story of the First Quarter Storm. “I was even in UP when Martial Law was declared and I thought I had a scoop because I was on the spot, [so] I called [the night editor], and they said... ‘Wala nang diaryo’ because we’re under attack ourselves and there are guns being pointed at us.” From there, Dalisay wrote for the underground press and was arrested for over seven months
in Fort Bonifacio. By the time he was released, several media outlets were already shut down. With the death privately-owned media, Dalisay turned to creative writing as literature had freer room for political commentary through allegories and metaphors. “The government does not read or understand plays, novels, poems, [but] it understands journalism. And I’ve always made a point of this, that the writers who are most threatened—who are most vulnerable in this country to repression are the journalists,” he says. Dalisay is joined by other artists who also kept the truth alive in the arts. For instance, Freddie Aguilar wrote “Bayan Ko,” which has been used for protests and has become the “quintessential anthem of a suppressed nation.” Francisco Sionil José is another notable case to consider. He founded the Philippine Center of International Poets, Playwrights, Essayists, and Novelists (Philippine PEN), a community of writers who stood in defense of freedom of expression and speech during the Martial Law era and even to this day. Since its foundation in 1958, the Philippine PEN has organized seminars, workshops, and conferences tackling such advocacy—and even hosted a congress that sparked discourse on “fake news and repressive regimes.” Today, Dalisay believes that the new battleground for truth-telling in art is social media. He notes how interactions are now instantaneous, and names Twitter as an example: “T weets...have
room for originality, wit, and humor. So there’s a lot of space for ar t there that normally people can engage in.” Through social media, artists can also hold the line and make their own political statements or content that will, in a way or another, speak the truth to power. Armed with this knowledge, Dalisay believes that artists must step in when the free press is threatened. “If you’re a writer, you have no proper business but to write the truth,” he says. “Writers have to choose sides, and I think most writers will choose the side of the truth, because if we don’t do that then who will?” Dalisay says that the artist’s task is to continue honing their craft that depicts the truths of today so that the Filipinos of tomorrow “will understand what exactly happened.” THE TRUTH AND THE FILIPINO As the nation grapples with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipinos’ sources of essential information are slowly being put out by those in power once again. While the fight for free press ensues, artists lend a hand through creative truth-telling. From the media’s straightforward reportage to the arts’ creative and allegorical truth-telling, the Filipino citizenry remains steadfast in protecting their liberties regardless of the timeline. Editor’s Note: Arlene Burgos’ views do not ref lect the position of ABS-CBN.
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Writers have to choose sides, and I think most writers will choose the side of the truth, because if we don’t do that then who will?
JOSE DALISAY FILIPINO WRITER
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Martial Law Special
Demanding forgotten accountability BY GEORGE D. KHO AND KRIS M. FETIZA
THROUGHOUT HISTORY, civil society has played a crucial role not only in supporting marginalized sectors but also in moving Filipinos to champion welfare and justice—the latter of which culminated in the instigation of the 1986 EDSA Revolution. Its role has since re-emerged in the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, as non-governmental organizations (NGO) endeavor to mitigate the crisis’ impact on v ulnerable communities amidst inadequate government response. Despite the urgent need for concrete state support, the glorified cultural notion of resilience continues to prevail among media and public figures. Such depictions and scenarios evoke questions on the state’s failure to serve the public, as well where the culture of demanding accountability lies in national consciousness. TAKING ADVANTAGE OF RESILIENCE The resourcefulness of the Filipino at unjust costs shines through in the absence of aid from the government and civil society organizations (CSO). For instance, former senior researcher of the University of the Philippines (UP) Resilience Institute and current volunteer for the UP COVID-19 Pandemic Response Team Timothy James Cipriano cited a concept called space ma ximization, where informal settlers are forced to efficiently utilize their cramped spaces in order to make their conditions livable.
“It’s been a part of their lives that they have to make sacrifices, and then to be more creative to cover up, so
to speak, the government’s lack
of action...” he stated. “[But] not all people are capable of doing that. How about those people, who are part of the poorest of the poor of society, who [have a] low capability to be more creative as others who are given the privilege of being creative?” Resilience, however, is not without its merits. Communications Officer of Jesuit-affiliated NGO Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) Xavier Alvaran stated the importance of this value in empowering sectors to “break cycles of dependency and abject poverty,” but warned that it is vulnerable to misuse. “What we don’t believe in is when people in power use the value of Filipino resiliency to justify their corruption, incompetence, and shortsightedness,” Alvaran reasoned. Filipino resilience has been praised locally and internationally, but in the COVID-19
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pandemic, citizens have become increasingly critical of the government’s use of publicity stunts and glorified resilience stories in place of comprehensive response strategies. FILLING THE GAPS I n adequ ate gover n ment response to t he COV ID 19 pandemic suggests that long-running problems in governance—such as corruption and misplaced priorities—are underlying factors. A lvaran cited SLB’s experience with local officials who either overlook or disregard their responsibility to form disaster response plans.“[Many] local governments work in the framework of addressing only short-term issues, culturally and politically,” he said. Similarly, Benigno Balgos, PhD, a Development Studies lecturer and consultant to several NGOs mentioned that
Inadequate government response to the COVID-19 pandemic suggests that long-running problems in governance—such as corruption and misplaced priorities—are underlying factors.
ROMANTICIZED RESILIENCE. In the midst of a myriad of crises, the Bayanihan spirit of Filipinos continues to shine through as communities adapt and help each other by persevering and doing volunteer work. PHOTOS BY CASEY MATEO
conf licting political interests easily halt the potential of policies to deliver effective public ser vice. Moreover, A lvaran, Balgos, and Cipriano reiterated that government bureaucracy, lack of funding, and insuff icient policy implementation delay the development of more sustainable sectors. This, in turn, keeps social ser v ices shouldered by CSOs. “As much as possible, you want [CSOs] to complement the work that [the government is] doing,” Balgos remarked, “Hindi [dapat] pinapalitan ng CSOs yung trabaho ng gobyerno (CSOs should not be doing the government’s job).” Inadequate social services leave many in dire need of aid, prompting NGOs to fill in the gaps. Frontliners’ Kitchen Co-founder Jeanill Migraso explained that long hours, lacking work benefits, and closed establishments leave frontliners tired and underfed. “They’d say that at least receiving meals says a lot [and] that there’s still people [cheering and caring] for them,” Migraso said of frontliners demoralized from harsh work conditions. A nother NGO initiative is Project Pagsibol, which aims to provide relief and long-term solutions for aff licted farmers. Tricia Colayco, one of Project Pa g s i b o l ’s p r o j e c t h e a d s , la ments over t he system ic issues that have plagued the agricultural sector even before the COVID-19 pandemic. “[Tackling] the root issues affecting their sector would require the pa r ticipation of larger actors in the countr y like the government,” Colayco said, as Project Pagsibol only considers itself a ba nd- a id solut ion . T hou g h g r ate f u l for their respective succeses, Milag ro a nd Colayco asser t
t h at t hei r e f for ts a re not enough. This success, Migraso said, ultimately denotes insufficient public support. Even with these successful efforts, NGO resources can only go so far. Both Migraso and Colayco expressed that inconsistent funding largely limits their efforts. HOLDING ACCOUNTABILITY There are several government initiatives already in place that aim to uphold social welfare. However, Cipriano describes that the lack of transparency and clear metrics of success on state policies make it difficult to measure the government’s effectiveness during the pandemic. The arbitrary enforcement of rules towards certain public officials also gives the impression that the law is “anti-poor,” Cipriano pointed out. While he believes social media is a valid tool for holding accountability, criticisms directed towards officials are often taken personally. “If [public officials] did something wrong, then [they] have to hold [themselves] accountable... it seems that this government has been very sensitive to criticism,” Cipriano reasons. Civil society, then, serves not only as a tool for social development but also as the government’s watchdog. Manifestations of this role was seen in the 1986 EDSA Revolution which, according to the Asian Development Bank Civil Society Brief, was largely realized by the activism of CSOs. Since then, CSOs have continued to struggle in lobbying for workers, indigenous peoples, anti-corruption campaigns, among other things despite recent government crackdown on CSOs. For Alvaran, their work as CSOs is inseparable from politics. He notes that politics
“def ines how we affect and inf luence one another in the society, [and] how we make decisions as a democracy.” Furthermore, Balgos stated that civil society serves as a bridge between the government and its constituents. He stressed the importance of sectors, citizens, and civil society in being provided avenues to be heard in order for them such that public policies truly address their needs. It becomes crucial now, more than ever, to look back on the lessons on defending democracy and fighting cultures of impunity that the legacy of the 1986 EDSA Revolution has left behind. Without this, and with romanticized notions of resilience left unchecked, the systemic issues that the movement once sought to end three decades ago may only dig in deeper.
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[Many] local governments work in the framework of addressing only shortterm issues, culturally and politically.
XAVIER ALVARAN COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN
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THE OFFICI A L STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE ATENEO DE M A NIL A UNI V ERSIT Y DEEPER INTO THE TRUTH
VOL. XCI NO. 1
Check out Vantage Magazine vantage.theguidon.com
ATENEO GOES ONLINE. As the school year begins and classes shift online, the Ateneo community faces new challenges and struggles in the the university’s new normal. PHOTO BY ALEXIS WANG
LS transitions to online classes, encounters technical and learning drawbacks BY MOIRA V. CAYABYAB
IN LIGHT of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Loyola Schools (LS) administration decided to conduct classes online for the Intersession and First Semester periods of AY 20202021. To aid the community’s transition to online learning, t he Un i ve r s it y ’s O n l i ne Learning Task Force launched a virtual campus called the Ateneo Blue Cloud (ABC) in May. The ABC includes Canvas and Moodle, the Learning Management Systems (LMS) used to conduct classes during intersession. LS-One, a student services hub, was also created to assist students in navigating the virtual campus and their online classes.
Despite having the ABC in place, students and teachers faced difficulties in adapting to the new mode of learning during intersession. Some issues included struggling with synchronous classes due to internet problems and adjusting to the workload of asy nchronous classes. THE VIRTUAL CAMPUS According to Ateneo Institute for the Science and Art of Learning (SALT) Director Johnny Go, SJ, the ABC is not only a virtual campus, it is also the University’s philosophy of Jesuit-based online education. “What would make [the Ateneo education] distinct from other kinds of online education? That’s where the whole discussion on the values emerged, since it’s very important for us.
Having classes through a call is hard, especially for [someone like] me who has a short attention span, it’s really hard to focus due to the pandemic. ANDREA AVEDILLO 2 BS LEGAL MANAGEMENT
SPORTS
It’s not about technology; it’s about learning,” he explained. Although the concept of a virtual campus was a recent development, Information Technology Resource Management Office (ITRMO) Director Sandra Francesca Lovenia said that LS was already using Moodle as an LMS prior to the pandemic. She explained that it was “inherited” from the Department of Information S y s te m s a nd C ompute r Science—the first LS department that used Moodle as an LMS. Lovenia also said that the administration has been planning to have a centralized LMS since last year because it would be more convenient to have everything in one online platform. However, the process was “fast-tracked” to accommodate the online transition. “We are in this journey, [and] we have thought of this journey before. It was just fasttracked with challenges,” she said. In an effort to improve the learning experience of students, Canvas was established as the primary LMS for the upcoming first semester. Go explained that Canvas was the “easiest to use” out of all the other options, and it was also well-received by other globally recognized universities such as Harvard University a nd Sta n ford Universit y.
FEATURES
A shared triumph
Dark side of volunteerism
CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS Despite the initiatives taken to improve their online learning experience, the LS community still faced problems during intersession. Lovenia said that some professors faced difficulties in maneuvering the interface of Moodle. This prompted instructors to resort to other LMS such as Google Classroom and even Facebook Groups, which made it difficult for students to access classroom materials from their different classes. Lovenia explained that while Canvas has an easier interface to use, some technical issues still need to be ironed out. This includes syncing data from the Ateneo Integrated Student Information System to Canvas, as some students were unable to join their intersession classes since they were not listed as enrolled. Students faced learning difficulties as well. Eva Gonzales (2 BS BIO) said that online classes entailed a heavier workload compared to face-to-face classes. She also had to compensate for the lack of applied work by focusing more on the lectures since her laboratory classes were moved to the second semester. LS TRANSITIONS TO ONLINE › 4
BEYOND LOYOLA
Stuck in transit
PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN CUEZON FROM ATENEO PSYCHE
Sanggu creates Mental Health Fund after previous effort deemed “unconstitutional” BY MINA MATA
A F T E R MO N T H S o f deliberation, the Sanggunian passed the Mental Health Fund Act of 2020 on July 28 to finance various mental health initiatives for the Loyola Schools (LS) student body. A portion of the fund worth Php 1 million will be allocated as subsidies that students may avail to finance their psychiatric consultation and prescribed medication needs. School of Social Sciences Representative TJ Alcantara, former John Gokongwei School of Management Representative Mica Torres, and bill authors Ian Gabriel Pagdanganan and Sydney Noelle Villanueva
INQUIRY
partnered with the Sanggunian Commission on Mental Health (CMH) to create the Act that would respond to the “various mental health concerns within the Ateneo communit y.” Section 11.2.1 of the Act states that students can apply for a subsidy by submitting the necessary requirements: Any proof of enrollment, a medical certificate or psychological evaluation, any prescription document, and an interview with Loyola Schools Office of Guidance and Counseling (LSOGC). Alcantara noted that the subsidies will be ready for distribution by October. SANGGUNIAN APPROVES › 4
OPINION
Cutting corners
Ink stains
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News
NEW BEGINNINGS. After his stay at Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, Roberto C. Yap, SJ officially took on a new role as ADMU’s new president. PHOTO BY TRISHA JABAR FROM CRUSADER YEARBOOK
Yap formally takes over as 31st Ateneo President amid COVID-19 pandemic BY ALLIANZA O. PESQUERA
ROBERTO “BOBBY” C. Yap, SJ officially assumed office as Ateneo de Manila University’s (ADMU) 31st President on August 1, amid the “extraordinary circumstances” brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yap’s first term as University President was initially scheduled to begin on June 1, but the ADMU Board of Trustees (BoT) extended his predecessor Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ’s term to July 31 for “management continuity” purposes. Yap’s term at Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan (XU) was also extended by XU’s BoT for the same reason. Given the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and Villarin’s term extension, Yap described the beginning of his term as “a very rocky start and a very unusual, a very new normal.” According to him, the situation has also created a “paradigm shift” in the mode of learning. “It’s a new normal now. We lead [ADMU] in that sense, make it robust, make it resilient, make sure Ateneo education the Ateneo way continues even in spite of the pandemic and the quarantine,” Yap said.
CHANGING LEADERSHIP According to BoT Chairperson Bernadine Siy, Yap was chosen as University President after a multi-step process that began with the formation of a search committee. The BoT eventually chose Yap as “the leader best suited for the job at hand” following consultations between school management, the BoT, key resource persons, and other University stakeholders. Siy explained that it has been the responsibility of the University’s various leadership bodies to always prepare ADMU for various challenges so that it continuously succeeds. “Not h i n g dem a rc ates a change in times and demands on the University as much as the [COVID-19] pandemic we are going through today,” Siy added. Prior to the pandemic, Yap said that his goal was about ma k i n g A DM U st a nd out among other Metro Manila schools through its mission and identity as a Jesuit institution. In par ticular, he sa id that nation-building and wholeperson formation are important priorities for the University. Yap added that Villarin’s AMDG 2030 masterplan will also have to be revised “based on the
We lead it in that sense, make it robust, make it resilient, make sure Ateneo education the Ateneo way continues even in spite of the pandemic and the quarantine. ROBERTO “BOBBY” C. YAP, SJ UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
new environment” and ADMU’s strengths and weaknesses. However, he clarified that the Jesuit ideals will remain the same despite how “dramatically” the administration’s plans have changed. CRISIS MANAGEMENT According to Yap, his transition as University President was in “crisis management mode,” as he has been discussing strategic action crisis plans w it h h is ad m i n ist r at ion . He said that he first ensured that the University assisted those who were affected by the pandemic, such as the poor. Specifically, Yap noted their efforts in providing personal protective equipment and packed meals for communities in need. He also claimed that the University has been looking into ways to combat the pandemic, noting FASSSTER, the policy tool developed by the Computer Studies group to monitor the spread of COVID-19. He is also currently finalizing his plans to establish the Ateneo Molecular and Diagnostics a nd Genetics Laborator y, the Universit y ’s f irst-ever COVID-19 testing laboratory. In addition, Yap claimed that the administration will distribute portable learning packets cont a i n i n g ha rd copies of lessons to students who do not have sufficient gadgets or internet access. Yap emphasized the need for education to continue in spite of the pandemic. Referring to the Ateneo Blue Cloud, he assured that the “adaptive” and “home-based” learning system is still “markedly Jesuit education” where holistic for m at ion c a n cont i nue . He also said that they have been drawing up scenarios of
possibly returning on-site but with caution. Yap explained that if classes were to resume on-site, there would be social distancing and sanitary measures present. “The more important thing is the load. If a class would have 40, now we have to bring it down to 20 or 15. We might have to go sh if ting class every other day, instead of a different group. Break up the group—a morning shift and afternoon shift because of the classroom situation,” Yap said. PARADIGM SHIFT Overall, Yap said that the “Ateneo campus can still exist virtually,” but a “big shift” must happen because students have to take the initiative to do their schoolwork. He also called on both students and parents to come together and work alongside the University to make online classes work. “The students really have to be self-motivated [and] selfdirected to do this, for online learning to work. [They] have to do—and I think [they’re] very good at this—peer-to-peer learning, helping each other. If people have difficulty accessing the material that’s online or can’t join the online classes, [then] help each other with it,” Yap said. Siy added that while Villarin prepared Ateneo for the current crisis, Yap’s job is to prepare the University for the future. “Fr. Jett has completed his leg of the race with many feathers in his cap, and now the baton has been passed to Fr. Bobby, for his turn. [...] Together with Fr. Bobby at the helm, the Ateneo community looks forward to continuing to thrive in the post-COVID future,” Siy added. PHOTO BY SHANIA YULO FROM CRUSADER YEARBOOK
With reports from Franchesca Fajemolin.
EDITOR: LEIKA GOLEZ | LAYOUT ARTIST: NEIL R. REYES
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THE SWITCH TO ONLINE. Ateneo COMELEC provides an updated plan regarding the Sanggunian General Elections this year due to the nationwide lockdown. PHOTO BY SOLEIL NICOLETTE
FILE PHOTO BY JASON MARIANO (2018)
COMELEC discusses limitations, possible re-postponement of online Sanggu General Elections BY BILLIE ASUNCION
FOLLOWING THE cancellation of on-site classes for the remainder of the Second Semester of AY 20192020, the Ateneo Commission on Elections (COMELEC) postponed the Sanggunian General Elections. As a result, the Sanggunian has been operating under an interim government since May 8. Former Ateneo COMELEC Commissioner for Finance Gab Montoya previously stated that elections would be held on-site during the First Semester of AY 2020-2021, but this was before the administration announced that the first semester will be fully online. Given recent developments brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ateneo COMELEC Officer-in-Charge John Patrick Lumbre revealed plans to hold a constituency check on September 10 to gauge students’ willingness to participate in an online election. He added that the schedule for the General Elections can only be finalized if the constituency check results show students’ willingness to vote. OPTIONS FOR ONLINE ELECTIONS Shou ld elec t ions push through this semester, Ateneo COMELEC is looking into two ways of holding elections online.
The first option will allow students to vote with the same system that students on Junior Term Abroad use. In this process, the document of the ballot will be sent to the students’ University emails.
The process of elections needs to be more inclusive in order for more people to vote. If we just have a simple pubmat that says elections are happening without saying why it’s important, then people really [will not] vote. JB BEJARIN INTERIM SANGGUNIAN PRESIDENT
The other option will utilize Google Form ballots. According to Lumbre, each student will be given a unique code to access the form, similar to the enlistment process for the Talakayang Alay sa Bayan sessions or TALAB. Lumbre also said that a memo will be posted on their Facebook page to inform students of the online election procedures. He added that Ateneo COMELEC is planning to update the Electoral Code to include a section about “online contingencies.” Additionally, he clarified that there is still a possibility that elections may be postponed again depending on the results of the constituency check. He stated that elections may be deferred to the second semester if the majority of respondents vote against having online elections in the first semester. FORESEEN LIMITATIONS Lumbre said that all options have “loopholes” since there will be no way to “monitor” the ballots in an online election to prevent double voting. With this, the Ateneo COMELEC plans to coordinate with the Office of Student Activities so that students with limited internet access can vote via text instead. Lumbre also mentioned the possibility of a lower voter turnout because many students
neglect to check their emails. Interim Sanggunian President Jb Bejarin expressed a similar sentiment, saying that while assumptions should not be made, voter turnout has been consistently low even before the suspension of on-site classes. On the other hand, Interim Vice President Kat Moreno stated that it is difficult to say how turnout may be affected because “it’s dependent on a lot of different external factors.” A lower turnout can be a result of a lack of online campaigning a nd poor commu nication between the Ateneo COMELEC and the student body. Elections may not be the “students’ priority” since she observed that intersession students placed more focus on their grades. However, she also stated that the “ f lipside” could happen. “Assuming the voting is done through a Google Form, then it doesn’t take a lot of time to fill out, and you can do it in one go,” she said. PUTTING STUDENTS FIRST Despite these limitations, Bejarin said that postponing elections again will also have repercussions on the freshmen and sophomores’ right to vote. For example, he explained that his mandate as interim president comes from students who voted
Whatever scenario COVID-19 or admin lays out for the student body, Sanggu is ready to respond and help out in the students’ shift during this process. JB BEJARIN INTERIM SANGGUNIAN PRESIDENT
in the General Elections of AY 2018-2019. He pointed out that he is only “technically fulfilling” his role as vice president by assuming office as interim president. In line with this, Article II, Section 3 of the 2019 Constitution of the Undergraduate Students of the Ateneo de Manila Loyola Schools states that “Every student has the right to representation in and through the Sanggunian.”
“The process of elections needs to be more inclusive in order for more people to vote. If we just have a simple pubmat that says elections are happening without saying why it’s important, then people really [will not] vote,” Bejarin added. While Moreno shared Bejarin’s sentiment to “push for the constitutionality of things,” she also mentioned the importance of considering students’ wellbeing. She explained that pushing for elections may seem “selfish” because there are external factors beyond their control. “To push for an election in the middle of transition to online learning, in the middle of considering the difficulties with internet and the state of mental health [...]. It seems like we’re pushing our own agenda just to continue,” she said. With this, she said that the Sanggunian is “putting the students’ interests first” by continuing to work with and assist them. Bejarin also said that they are preparing for any scenario. “We’ll [definitely] encounter some hiccups along the way, but whatever scenario COMELEC lays out for Sanggu [and] whatever scenario COVID-19 or admin lays out for the student body, Sanggu is ready to respond and help out in the students’ shift during this process,” he said.
FILE PHOTO BY ZOEY IGNACIO (2019)
4
News
LS transitions to online... “Based on experience, having laboratory sessions alongside [...] the lecture really helps in understanding the lessons better. With the lack of laboratory sessions, I just find materials online like YouTube videos to aid me in understanding the lessons better,” Gonzales said. Andrea Avedillo (2 BS LM) also mentioned that some professors gave out PowerPoint presentations without holding formal lectures. Expecting their students to learn the material on their own, the professors would occasionally administer a quiz on the undiscussed topic. Avedillo noted that the new learning methods were not efficient for her. “I don’t particularly learn well from watching videos and just reading PowerPoints; I prefer listening to someone talk about the topic or subject. Having classes through a call is hard, especially for [someone like] me who has a short attention span,” she said.
PHOTO BY ALEXIS WANG
BUILDING SOLUTIONS According to the Vice President for the Loyola Schools Maria Luz Vilches, PhD, the administration had already anticipated some of these problems. In response, the University administration held a meeting with students before intersession to discuss the LS-One services students can avail for their online learning experience. For exa mple, st udents who have connectivity issues can request for a flash drive containing the learning materials of their course. Additionally, borrowing a laptop or applying for an internet subsidy will also be made available to non-scholars. Ateneo SALT also launched Adaptive Design for Learning (ADL), a project-based training course for instructors across Jesuitrun schools in the Philippines. 27 online coaches from these institutions, including Go,
facilitated the course last May. Go explained that professors were tasked to design their subject courses for their students to ensure that their content was “bite-sized.” “They’re supposed to design the courses for [students] as they’re going through the course. We wanted [ADL] to model what their courses should look like. There are certain principles. For example, don’t just dump content on the students,” Go said. The Department of Information Systems and Computer Science also formed Tech Buddies, a partner system within the faculty where they can ask assistance from their respective Tech Buddies for any technical difficulties with the LMS. Associate Dean for Student Formation Leland Dela Cruz, PhD, also created a Facebook group called Loyola Schools Online Learning Community where students and faculty can share and discuss feedback regarding online learning.
which had not been officially promulgated to the LS at the time. According to SJC Chief Magistrate Nicole Keith Tolentino, its promulgation was delayed by seven months. Following the incident, the Sanggunian published the 2019 Constitution and passed the new Mental Health Fund Act in May. In contrast to the previous efforts, CMH Co-Commissioners Kaina Marie Sera Jose and Nadine Altavas, as well as CMH members Katrina Hanna Uy and Nicole Namoco, said that the inclusion of a subsidy to the current fund allows for a steady inflow of cash every semester. They said that it is “significantly more than what would have been compounded for the orig inal [f und].” Alcantara added that unlike the Mental Health Investment Fund Resolution, the Mental Health Fund Act stipulates Implementing Rules and Regulations that detail the full implementation process of said fund.
PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH As of writing, Alcantara stated that the Sanggunian and the CMH are crafting a manual that simplifies the Act since the “complicated” financial processes of the fund may discourage students from applying. This will be ready by September. Beyond providing financial aid to students, the Sanggunian also planned other mental health initiatives in line with the Act. For instance, Sera Jose said that the CMH set up a Peer Support Program with the LSOGC to train student volunteers in becoming facilitators of mental health support groups. Sera Jose added that the CMH will release a database of mental health services and psychiatric help outside the LSOGC. Amid the quarantine, the CMH will also continue their online projects such as Humans of Ateneo and the Mental Health Awareness + Action Week.
POISED TO HELP Overall, Go said that receiving feedback from the faculty, the students, and their parents is the best way to address their difficulties during this transition. “There’s a saying, ‘We’ll cross the bridge when we get there.’ The saying that we’ve been using this whole summer is, ‘We’re building the bridge as we cross it.’ There’s no bridge, and we’re building it together. We’re learning from one another,” Go noted. Likewise, Vilches added that the administration is “poised to help the community,” but they are also continuously assessing the situation as time progresses. “If people are asking, ‘Can you do this? Can you do that?’ We don’t know. This is a path that is not charted; we continue to assess things along the way as we move along,” Vilches said.
Sanggunian creates... FUNDING INITATIVES AND SERVICES Following the advice of the Office of Student Activities (OSA) and the Central Accounting Office, the Sanggunian divided the fund into two parts: An endowment fund of Php 600,000 and a subsidy budget with the remaining Php 400,000. The Sanggunian Department of Budget and Management will fund the endowment with the savings from the Sanggunian budget for AY 2019-2020. While the initial investment will remain untouched, the quarterly interest will be used for mental health plans such as subsidizing students’ mental health services. Alcantara clarified that the endowment will not be used for the time being since it must earn interest first. “We know that we’re in an economic recession. For now, the endowment will just be set aside […] since [it] wouldn’t really gain much interest,” he said.
On the other hand, the subsidies will be directly accessible to students through their respective School Sanggunians. Section 17.1 of the Act mandates each School Sanggunian to allocate at least Php 75,000 for these subsidies in their respective semesterly budgets. According to Alcantara, each School Sanggunian can finance up to 25 students, given that their medical bills are worth Php 4,000 each. “[Across all schools], we can service 80 to 100 students per semester and 200 students per year. I think that’s a big help for students who are in financial need,” he added. RESOLVING ISSUES Alcantara shared that the Sanggunian had two previous attempts to invest Php 1 million for mental health initiatives, but these did not succeed due to a number of problems. For instance, former Sanggunian President Hya Bendaña led the first effort in AY 2018-2019 after the
student body voted to reallocate a portion of the Sanggunian budget for AY 2018-2019 into mental health subsidy funds during a 2019 Sanggunian General Elections referendum. However, this was unsuccessful. “[The fund] was not fully transitioned to the OSA and the next administration. Thus, nothing happened after the referendum,” Alcantara said. In July 2019, then-Vice President Jb Bejarin filed the Mental Health Investment Fund Resolution in line with the previous attempt. A lthough then-Sangg unian President Quiel Quiwa approved it, Alcantara said that the fund did not materialize because it was not properly communicated to OSA. Discussions regarding the fund resumed only in February, but the Student Judicial Court (SJC) deemed the fund unconstitutional in March. The Resolution cited sections on students’ rights and welfare from the 2019 Constitution of the Undergraduate Students,
FIGHT FOR MENTAL HEALTH. The Sanggunian, Ateneo Peers and Ateneo Psyche partnered up to celebrate Mental Health Awareness + Action Week to spread awareness for the importance of proper mental health care. PHOTO BY JONATHAN CUEZON FROM ATENEO PSYCHE.
[Across all schools, the subsidies] can service 80 to 100 students per semester and 200 students per year. I think that’s a big help for students who are in financial need. TJ ALCANTARA SOSS REPRESENTATIVE
The GUIDON | August-September 2020
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PHOTO ESSAY
Ateneans call for press freedom, human rights in Black Ribbon Tying and Noise Barrage BY JILLIAN LOPEZ PHOTOS BY JERRY FENG
IN LIGHT of recent attacks against democracy and press freedom, various members of the Ateneo community gathered at Gate 3 for the Black Ribbon Tying and Noise Barrage last July 27. The event, which the Office of the Vice President for Social Development and the Loyola Schools Faculty Social Involvement Team organized, was held on the same day that President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address. Attendees including employees and Jesuit novitiates protested various issues such as Congress’ denial of the ABS-CBN franchise renewal, Rappler Chief Executive Officer Maria Ressa’s cyberlibel conviction, and the signing of the controversial Anti-Terrorism Bill into law. The protesters also raised placards that demanded mass testing and improved government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, protesters tied black ribbons on the metal fencing of the campus to express dissent to these issues. Motorists passing by Katipunan Avenue honked back as well to show their support as the country continues to struggle with the government’s militarized response to the pandemic and violations of press freedom and human rights. “Hindi pangkaraniwan o usual ang mga nakaraang mobilization na naganap during this pandemic. Pero kung iisipin, matagal na tayong nabubuhay sa mga kakaibang mundo kung saan pinakanaaapektuhan ang mga nasa laylayan. Kaya patuloy lang hanggang kayang lumaban; padayon lang,” Interim Sanggunian President Jb Bejarin said in an interview with The GUIDON. (Past mobilizations that occurred during this pandemic were not common. But in hindsight, we have long lived in strange worlds where those on the fringes of society are most affected. So keep going until we can keep fighting; just keep going.) Prior to entry into campus, the protesters were required to accomplish a health declaration form and adhere to the University’s health protocols such as vehicle disinfection, temperature checks, and social distancing by at least two meters.
UNITED FRONT. Members of the Ateneo community stand in solidarity for the preservation of press freedom and democratic rights.
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Opinion
VOLUME XCI, NO. 1 AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020
Founded 1929 by Rev. Frank O’Hara, SJ First Editor-in-Chief, Manuel C. Colayco, AB ‘30 PURPOSE To serve as a record of Ateneo history in the making; to serve as an organ of journalistic expression; to serve God and country.
Danielle Margaux R. Garcia, BS CTM ‘21 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Tatiana L. Maligro, AB COM ‘22 ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Bryce R. Rubi, BS ME ‘21 MANAGING EDITOR
Carmela B. Masiglat, BFA ID ‘22 DESIGN EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Leika Mae A. Golez, AB COM ‘21 NEWS EDITOR
Mercedes Calista S. Crespo, AB DipIR ‘21 Gerrick Spencer C. Limsiy, BS ME ‘21 SPORTS EDITORS
Raphael Patrick C. Dela Cruz, AB LIT (ENG) ‘21 BEYOND LOYOLA EDITOR
Keziah Maru Z. Pasion, AB COM ‘22 FEATURES EDITOR
EDITORIAL CARTOON BY MIKHAELLA NORLIN MAGAT
Jeanella P. Mangaluz, AB COM ‘22 INQUIRY EDITOR
Andrea Mikaela B. Llanes, AB COM ‘22 Beatriz Ysabel C. Reyes, BS ME ‘22 VANTAGE MAGAZINE EDITORS
Kathleen Rae U. Yap, AB COM ‘22 BROADCAST NEWS EDITOR
Maria Victoria P. Tenido, AB IS ‘23 BROADCAST NEWS PRODUCER
Kaye Elizabeth P. Veneracion, BS ME ‘22 Raya Ashaunti H. Barreiro, BS DS ‘21 PHOTOS EDITORS
Neil Christian R. Reyes, BS CH-MSE ‘23 Tiffany Kate C. Ng, BS ME ‘22 GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITORS
Mariana D. Gardoce, AB COM ‘22 VIDEO PRODUCTION EDITOR
Beatrice R. Bacason, AB COM ‘22 VIDEO PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Bea Katrina S. Sison, BS MIS ‘21 DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT EDITOR FOR DESIGN
Davin Sean Cuaso, BS MIS ‘21 DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT EDITOR FOR TECHNOLOGY
Katrina Bernice M. Tan, AB COM ‘23 EXTERNALS MANAGER
Regina Mae C. Yu, BS ME ‘23 HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Jose Angelo A. Buenaventura, BS CTM ‘23 Enrique Benjamin B. Halili, BFA CW ‘22 SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS
Azequiel Lexander P. de Luna, BS ME ‘22 Earl Christian L. Yu, BS ME ‘22 RESEARCH MANAGERS
NEWS Allianza O. Pesquera, Billie Asuncion, Jillian Lopez, Mina Mata, Moira V. Cayabyab SPORTS Adelene Ha, Gap B. Estrella, James B. Gavina, Javier P. Mapa, Jeremy L. Chua, Joachim S. Melo, Juliana L. Ong, Kyla A. Algarra, Lei P. Macaranas, Miguel A. Dimaiwat, Neal R. Beltran, Nielbert A. Dy, Noah M. Imson, Ra Solomon, Vito Martin, Xavier C. Bautista BEYOND LOYOLA Derick M. Gabrillo, George D. Kho, Justine Ramirez, Kris M. Fetiza, Pioee B. Bassig, Troy G. Tarriela, Zachary C. Gonzales FEATURES Aisha Said, Eala Julienne P. Nolasco, Enzo Lagamon, Genesis Jacinth Tan, Jullia Chen, Liam Isaiah Lao INQUIRY Denise C. Marcelo, Francis Caiga, Gerard Ignacio, Justin B. Jimenez, Russell Louis Ku, Vincent Halog VANTAGE MAGAZINE Ann Gabrielle Domingo, Arnald Paguio, Caitlin C. Young, Dani Capinding, Danielle H. Ramos, Daniela Lorenzo, Gabriel V. Saulog, Jana V. Codera, Justin Ginete, Lyrah Lapid, Natalie R. Gavino, Therese Hipol BROADCAST NEWS Joaquin Salazar, Lars Salamante, Martin Ramos, Samantha Onglatco, Teo A. Ricaforte PHOTOS Alexis Wang, Bettina Cuan, Bruce Ong, Casey Mateo, Gabriel J. Medina, Jamie Go, Jerry Feng, Julia Carpio, Nate Bosano, Paulina Singh, Soleil Nicolette, Zoey Ignacio GRAPHIC DESIGN Andy Granda, Fidess Bisnar, Frances Lopez, Geri Puno, James Elijah Yap, Janis M. Villavicencio, Jay Bustamante, Julia J. Santos, Kaitlyn W. Mercado, Kurt Tan, Mikhaella Norlin Magat, Tiffany Cu VIDEO PRODUCTION Alissa Evangelista, Angelique Bagapuro, Jaf Tumale, Therese Macasaet, Yanna Estrellado
Ink stains AFTER NINE long years, Jose Ramon “Jett” T. Villarin, SJ concluded his term as University President with many gaps left unfilled. For instance, despite Villarin’s assurance that the administration will swiftly respond to sexual harassment and mistreatment cases, he failed to issue pertinent updates to t he Ateneo c o m m u n i t y. V i l l a r i n ’s administration similarly left the Ateneo Employees and Workers Union (AEWU) in the dark about information crucial to the union’s evaluation of wages, as evidenced by their 2019 silent protest. His successor, Rober to “Bobby ” C. Yap, SJ, has shown promise in addressing such missteps through his open willingness to confront soc ia l issues. Howe ver, concrete measures to remedy resou nd ing g r ieva nces f rom h is predecessor ’s term as well as specific goals for the University have yet to be heard. As Yap officially takes the reins, it is imperative now, more than ever, to hold transparency to a much higher regard— not only by addressing the Ateneo community’s growing unease, but al s o b y
establishing trust amid these trying times. WRITTEN IN INK As the former president of Xavier University (XU), Yap did not shy away from public service. In 2017, Yap established Xavier Ecoville, a resettlement project that housed approximately 2,800 Typhoon Sendong survivors. Aside from this, long-term rehabilitation was extended to Marawi City’s internally displaced persons through XU Tabang Marawi’s agroenterprise program. Yap’s term also paved the way for out-of-school youth to receive quality education through the School of Education’s Alternative Learning System satellite center: The Xavier Ateneo Night School Program. Apart from cementing XU’s role in community-building, Yap is openly vocal about social issues. During his presidency in XU, he actively joined protests against the death penalty and co-signed a statement in support of the Bangsamoro Organic Law along with other Catholic religious leaders in Mindanao. Through the various community-building efforts he championed during his presidency in XU, the Ateneo community
BLUE JE A NS
DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT Anton Benitez, Apa Cruz, Cobbie Quintos, Dani del Rio, Giddy Garcia, Harvey Sison, Jonathan Talbot, Keith Bartido, Miggy Pinaroc, Pat Ramos, Prezil Ong, Zekie Ordoveza
The thong of anger
EXTERNALS Ivan Bueno, Jorge Alfred R. Taruc, Marina Patricia Penerya, Matthew G. Yuching, Sofia Sanchez, Tricia R. Alcantara, Zheinna Lozano
BY VICTORIA FOUCHER
HUMAN RESOURCES Anicia Guanlao, Cielo Regalado, Diana Rivera, Em Enriquez, Kendji Tuazon, Margaux Arcinas, Matthew Cañete RESEARCH Joseph Garay, Justine Sarsuelo, Kiara Rodriguez, Lander Pua SOCIAL MEDIA Gia Crisologo, Abbey Palomo, Cloie Pino, Joaquin Querido
Luz R. Rimban MODERATOR
For comments, suggestions, and contributions, email:
desk@theguidon.com
Trigger warning: This piece contains mentions of sexual assault. A LITTLE over a year after the sexual harassment allegations against Hollywood producer Ha r vey Weinstein ca me to light and the rise of the #MeToo movement, Europe is experiencing a similar revolution of its own. Women have begun to speak out and denounce the culture of rape that has haunted European society for centuries.
In the past few months, you may have seen pictures of lace thongs and different kinds of underwear on social media, on television, and even out on the streets. No, it’s not for Black Friday, or to promote Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and its new line of lingerie. The reality is much more worr ying. It’s about what transpired in Ireland on November 6, 2018, when a 27-year-old man accused of rape was acquitted during his trial. The reason? According to the lawyer of the accused, the victim—who was a 17-year-
FINE PRINT Despite Yap’s well-received run, his term in XU was not free from controversy. During his presidency, Yap witnessed his fair share of labor issues. In 2017, the annual Christmas Cash Gift tradition was abruptly suspended as a cost-cutting measure. In response, the Xavier UniversityNon-Teaching Employees Labor Union (XUNTELU) staged a peaceful protest to express their dissent, explaining that the bonus had already ripened into a permanent benefit. After a series of mediated negotiations, the XUNTELU eventually received the Christmas Cash Gift, albeit reduced. In 2019, the XU community criticized Yap for providing his consent to create a commercialized “Campus of the Future” by selling a portion of wildlife sanctuary Manresa Farm to Cebu Landmasters Inc.—resembling the criticisms that questioned the validity of Villarin’s Areté as an institute for the arts. Last July, before leaving XU, Yap approved a protocol that
discourages the community from posting negative sentiments on social media that “may cause damage to other persons and institutions.” This elicited heated comments over potential online censorship and prompted XU’s Central Student Government - Commission on Students’ Rights and Welfare to investigate these worrisome provisions. Yap’s XU social media protocol has already ignited fears in the Ateneo community that this will eventually become a reality for the University. Administrators of the A DMU Freedom Wall Facebook page even considered shutting the page down altogether and that they “felt safer running the page” with Villarin’s support. Yap’s past controversies in XU warrant a closer look into how he can build a stronger presence given his new term, as these will only feed sentiments of unease and apprehension within the Ateneo community otherwise. W it h t h i s , e s t a bl i sh i n g trust early on in his term while f illing in Villarin’s gaps amid the COV ID -19 pa ndemic is a ba la ncing act that Yap must navigate and overcome.
TURNING THE PAGE As Yap begins his term on a precarious note, the issues left unaddressed from Villarin’s presidency will likely take the backseat. However, the University community should not be quick to judge his leadership right away. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the University unprecedented challenges— such as the difficult transition to online learning—that require rigorous planning and dialogues with constituents. This, however, does not excuse Yap from filling the gaping holes from Villarin’s presidency as these matters have been swept under the rug for far too long. It is in choosing to be upfront about urgent and sensitive issues—most especially in the memos released—that will lead Yap towards establishing stronger bonds with the Ateneo community early into his term. In a time where staying connected matters most, Yap’s open discussion of long-term specific plans and visions for the University is a crucial step he must take to directly engage with the community. By imparting these to the University’s constituents, Yap can ensure that their interests, grievances, and triumphs are also ultimately his own.
old girl—was responsible for what happened to her, because of the kind of underwear she was wearing. “Does the evidence outrule the possibility that she was attracted to the defendant and was open to meeting someone and being with someone? You have to look at the way she was dressed. She was wearing a thong with a lace front,” cited defense barrister Elizabeth O’Connell during the trial. The statement ignited the fury of many, prompting protesters to take to the streets. The hashtag # T h isIsNotConsent a lso circulated on social networks, which at least reassures us that many people are taking a stand, that people are becoming
aware of rape culture and the vast difference between what is consent and what is not. Ladies, consent is not based on our clothing. Whether we’re wearing a turtleneck and cotton panties, a crop-top and a lace thong, or even if we’re naked, it doesn’t take away our right to say “yes” or “no” to a sexual act. Having sex after saying “no” is rape. Wearing lingerie is never an invitation for sex. Even if we are considered “sexy,” even if we want to be sexy, that does not mean we give up control of ourselves and lose the right to be respected. We are always responsible for our bodies. Our bodies belong only to us, just as much as our desires belong
to us. We are free to choose the way we dress, where we want to go, and when we want to go out. We will never be responsible for any aggression. The person responsible is the aggressor. There is no one else responsible for a rape, other than the rapist. It’s a simple truth that deserves repeating: There is no excuse to justify a crime, and no excuse to justify a rape.
can undoubtedly expect Yap to continue Villarin’s vision of a more progressive University.
Victoria Maquet Foucher is an Information and Communications student at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest. She was an exchange student at the Ateneo for the first semester of AY 2018-2019 when the piece was written. She may be reached at vic.mf1998@gmail.com.
The GUIDON | August-September 2020
CHALK MARKS
Availability: the first love language BY LOUIE JULIAN
“WHAT’S YOUR love language, Louie?” Friends and students alike would often ask me this question. My answer would be, in true Atenean fashion, “It depends.”
The notion of “love languages” was popularized by American author and pastor Gary Chapman. He indicates five ways that people express and understand love,
Fine Print ANDREA MIKAELA LLANES
Dissecting disappointment Trigger warning: This piece contains mentions of sexual assault. WHEN THE sexual assault allegations surrounding Ansel Elgort broke on Twitter, I was in the middle of re-watching his film Baby Driver (2017). I couldn’t bring myself to pause the movie even as I scrolled through my timeline to read more about the claims. Instead, I waited for the credits to roll and only then did I allow myself to feel the full force of my frustration. It feels selfish to admit that my initial reaction was disappointment— I’d been a fan of Ansel since 2014, after all—but as I went through the various reactions to the news, I found some didn’t sit quite well with me. Statements like “We were rooting for you,” or “We can’t have one good [celebrity]” didn’t feel like the
Constant Iteration BEA SISON
Along the way STEPPING INTO college intimidated me. As an introvert, I found the new people, campus and culture were overwhelming. I was grade-conscious—grades were my basis for success—so I tried my best to keep up with my batchmates by getting a high QPI. My freshman year was spent focusing on academics: Attending classes, taking notes, submitting all my requirements, and studying for tests. Despite all those, I wasn’t fulfilled and felt like I wasn’t making the most out of my college experience. Sophomore year came and an opportunity appeared on my Facebook—a post inviting students to be mentored on user experience (UX). It was intersession and I wasn’t doing anything, so why not make the most out of my summer? After exchanging messages on Facebook, mentors and mentees met up. We got to know each other over coffee and somehow ended up talking about our future plans. I didn’t expound on mine, since I had no idea what career to pursue. I only focused on the present— getting high grades—thinking that a job offer will come by if I achieve this. One mentor shared that taking on organization projects helped him improve his skills and land an internship in Bangkok. They said that experience matters more than grades. That’s when it hit me: Grades aren’t everything and I should focus on developing my skills.
namely: Receiving gifts, physical touch, acts of service, quality time, and words of affirmation. One of Chapman’s main observations from his years of counselling is that our manner of expressing love is also the manner we expect to receive it. For instance, if I’m the type of person who loves through words of affirmation, then I generally expect others to love me by giving me words of affirmation too. Friendships and romantic relationships often fall apart when love languages are misunderstood, or worse, when they are demanded from each other (“I want you to love me this way!”). I’ve learned during this pandemic that there is a far more vital and fundamental way of expressing love that comes prior to Chapman’s love languages. It’s a love language that
might not be as expressive as others, yet it renders all the others possible. I simply call it availability. Allow me to illustrate this from my experience in the last few months. There were times during this pandemic when I was not in the best mental and emotional place. I couldn’t even articulate why I wasn’t feeling good. What helped me cope? It was when good friends simply told me, “Hey, we can talk,” “Hey, let’s have an e-numan later,” “Hey, just send me a message if you need anything.” Even before we actually spent time together, I found that there was already something quite powerful and profound knowing that someone was there available for me. I had helpful colleagues who were always ready to entertain my incessant questions when I got lost
right things to say, even if I shared a semblance of the sentiment. Online shaming or “cancel culture” claims that boycotting is a way to express dissent or displeasure over a person’s questionable manners. Personally, I believe the art can never be separated from the artist, so I can get behind boycotting. However, we rarely seem to consider and evaluate the emotional quotient of these decisions. Let’s consider J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series. Recently, Rowling faced accusations of transphobia because of statements she’d made online. As someone part of the LGBTQ+ community, I could no longer watch or read anything from the franchise in good conscience knowing Rowling’s views on my trans friends. For both Ansel and Rowling, I felt guilt, anger, and distress even if their actions had no direct effect on me. At some points, I found myself asking: Are these feelings valid? Does my personal turmoil discredit the gravity of the allegations at hand, or am I allowed to have these conflicted emotions? In hindsight, much of it boils down to how we view these notable personalities. Because of our
admiration, we end up putting them on a pedestal where we hold them to a certain standard; a standard we oftentimes put to those within our immediate circles. It’s human nature to be upset when someone whether they’re a close friend or a celebrity acts against our personal principles or ethics. There’s a lot of disillusionment in trying to make peace with the mistakes of celebrities. Shattering the illusion of a celebrity’s “perfection” is a conscious, forceful effort, but it’s necessary. Voicing out one’s personal disappointment and supporting survivors of sexual harassment are not mutually exclusive. There is always room for both as long as we don’t let our emotions cloud the narratives of the survivors themselves. As we grapple with the complexity of wording out our emotions, sometimes our choices can speak volumes in itself. Never watching a sex offender’s film ever again or refusing to revisit a transphobe’s books are baby steps but steps in the right direction nonetheless. It’s the most that we can do with the art of monstrous men.
I applied for an officer position at User Experience Society, since I want to work on UX projects. I was hopeful that I would get the position, but when the announcement came, my name wasn’t on the list. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, worked on my design skills, and stayed up late to finish my portfolio, but those weren’t enough. My fear of going outside my comfort zone came back because I was reminded of how it can lead to disappointment. During my third year, I decided not to let failure hinder me from honing my skills. I won’t gain anything if I focus on my failures, so I attended many UX events, learned the newest tools, and joined the toughest design competition on campus: UX University 2020. Since this was the first competition I joined in college, winning never crossed my mind. The competition lasted for a month and a half: Interviewing students, deciding on colors and typography, organizing layout, testing prototype, getting feedback, and addressing comments. After presenting the pitch to the panel of judges, they praised the design and gave some points for improvement. I got a good feeling that I was going to get a spot in the top three because they enjoyed the pitch and liked the designs. When the winners were announced, my feeling came true—I won first place! After diving into UX, I realized that students shouldn’t give up on their first try because they can still improve and discover capabilities they never thought they had. Students shouldn’t limit themselves to what they think they can accomplish, rather, they should be open to go for different opportunities. The key is not to get it right or be the best in the first try, rather, it’s to take on opportunities and have a growth mindset.
Brief Interludes JEAN MANGALUZ
In good spirits I ACCIDENTALLY put my shirt on backward today. I decided to just leave it like that, the superstitious part of me believing that it is a good way to shake bad spirits off my tail. It could also be because I don’t really care about how I look anymore after being in quarantine for so long. My superstitions don’t end there though. I tend to knock on the walls whenever I walk in the darkness to let spirits know that I am passing by. I excuse myself when passing through tombstones in the cemetery, apologizing if I accidentally step on one. It’s actually quite normal for my family to practice these rituals. Despite these superstitions, no one in my family was ever afraid. As a kid, my mother would reassure me that they were good spirits whenever I was afraid of ghosts in our house. I can tell, even then, that she fully believed that. No spirits will harm me as long as I pay my respects to them. I’ve grown up a bit now; the rational part of me downplays these thoughts and practices. After all, I don’t adhere to any religious practices. If ever I do see a demon, what am I going to do? My guardian angel would probably huff and go back upstairs because I forgot how to pray the rosary. I still let these superstitions guide me though. For the most part, they are quite harmless. It costs me nothing to be kind to wandering souls should they actually be there.
figuring out Canvas. I had friends who served as compassionate and non-judgmental sounding boards for my rawest feelings. I realized that the assurance of their presence was all that I really needed. I found myself in a better mental and emotional place in the space they made available for me. I suppose this is what availability is all about: Being the space where people can utterly be themselves with you. To be available is about opening the doors of one’s life for anyone who wishes to find shelter from the storms of their own situations. It’s about making one’s self a “home” to another; to be someone people can approach without them feeling anxious about filtering their words or to put up a polished front.
Reciprocity RAPHAEL C. DELA CRUZ
Say please “A GOOD thing to think about is what kind of face to make when you say please,” Ruth Krauss wrote in what would be her last children’s book, Open House for Butterflies. I encountered this quote while looking through archives for an essay I wrote in my freshman year. I remember taking a moment to take in the magnitude of her message, scarcely believing that Krauss intended for it to be understood by such a young audience. Perhaps she saw her audience to be more than just starry-eyed children, or she considered parents as part of her audience. Perhaps not. Either way, the complexity of the quote made me rethink, more than ever, the intention behind each act of courtesy we do. I can argue that courtesy gives an individual the power to command a stranger. Imagine someone saying,
More than acts of kindness, these bits of superstition are rooted in both culture and history. I wasn’t the only kid in class who told my classmates to choose a number from one to 26 whenever someone bit their tongue. It’s always fascinating to see that these rituals are shared with other Filipinos, albeit with variations depending on where they’re from. It is as if we all carry small pieces of culture and history with us, passed on by our elders. As Filipinos, we also tend to define family history and legacy with names and occupations. My grandfather was Vicente Perez and he was an engineer. My mother was Vivian Mangaluz and she was a bank manager. These are true but they were also so much more. For me, these superstitions are a unique remembrance of my family history. These rituals that my mother unconsciously taught me to do are habits that my grandparents also instilled within her. The superstitious habits they passed on to me revealed something about them that documents never could. They told me that my grandfather probably didn’t want to go bald or crazy by sleeping with wet hair (It didn’t work because he was already balding during his early years). My mother most likely welcomed guests if someone dropped a spoon or fork, because she never dropped a knife to cancel the visit. These rituals were small things that revealed what they believed and valued. It’s not that I want my descendants to remember me as the paranoid tita (aunt). I only wish to somehow carry these small legacies, and to pass them on if I can. On the off chance that there are duendes and other bad spirits following my family, it’s a nice reminder that there are good spirits with us.
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Availability is special because it doesn’t impose. You can imagine all the other love languages turning into tools of imposition that eventually burden rather than comfort. These distortions of the love languages happen when the lover’s need to express love becomes more important than the needs of the other. Ultimately, availability operates on listening to what the other person needs, and not on our insistence to “scream out” our well-intentioned but misplaced love languages. We cannot completely detach ourselves from loving in the way we see fit, but love matures when reciprocation takes a back seat to the needs of the one we love. As this pandemic continues to take its toll on us mentally and
emotionally, I think we can all agree that we need community support more than ever. Being available to another person will help us see more clearly how to best give that support. After all, if love is to will another person’s good, then it only makes sense that the one we love, and not us, is the rightful focus of our loving. I would often challenge my students with this thought, Hindi sapat ang magmahal nang todo; kailangan rin natin magmahal nang tama (It’s not enough to love intensely; we need to learn how to love properly). How do we know that we are “loving properly”? Be available to the one you love and listen. That’s why my answer to the question at the beginning of this piece is: It depends.
“Please move your bag,” and compare that to someone who says, “Move your bag.” Now, imagine yourself as the person who must fulfill the request. How fast would you react to “Please move your bag” and how long would you glare at that person if they said, “Move your bag”? However, courtesy is not merely normalized societal commands that can be utilized for one’s benefit, nor is it a value that must be upheld simply because it is good for the world. Instead, it serves to bridge the gap between individuals, ultimately providing a platform for genuine interaction to occur. A friend of mine always reminds me of this facet of courtesy. The two of us have gone on countless pilgrimages and excursions together, and I could probably tell a story for every place we went to, but the one thing that stuck with me throughout those trips was how he conducts himself in any environment. No matter where we went or who we met, he would always know how to act around strangers. After being friends with him for years, I noticed that every interaction would always follow a similar pattern.
Meeting someone new was like a dance to him, but he never danced to someone else’s rhythm. Rather, he composed his own as if he was the conductor and the people around him were his orchestra. “Oh hello, I’m Claudio. Nice to meet you,” he would say, never failing to extend his hand and smile whenever he introduced himself. Then one question after another would follow suit as if to help accentuate the already mesmerizing tune that he was creating. Interestingly, the people he would interact with never confronted his manners with rudeness. Instead, they would be looped into his performance, constantly tripping over themselves to keep up or, in some cases, challenging his politeness with their own. It is through Claudio that I realized the true value of courtesy. Being kind to people does not have to sprout from healthy soil. Rather, the power of kindness and courtesy lies within our ability to take the reins during interactions with people we may not know. Courtesy reaches its peak when, in those instances of jockeying for position to establish who is more courteous, it contributes to an atmosphere fit for interaction between two or more people.
Tides MARIANA GARDOCE
Stop, look, and listen WHENEVER SOMEONE tells me that Commonwealth Avenue is a killer highway, I used to think that they were joking. However, when I started commuting, my perspective changed. Commonwealth is such a congested area that the road truly becomes a battleground for all commuters. Most days, I would join fellow commuters in taking up three lanes of the highway, waiting more than 30 minutes to hitch a ride from one of the jeepneys as countless other vehicles zoom by. Some drivers blame traffic on undisciplined commuters, but in a country that gives no priority to its pedestrians and commuters, we are left with no other choice. At first glance, it seems like a daily annoyance, but it reveals deeper implications of a systematic problem that has been discredited by the government for the longest time. It’s no secret that Metro Manila has a transportation crisis. When we talk about transportation, we often think of private cars, buses, trains, and jeepneys—vehicles in short. While traffic is a prevalent problem in the cities, most of us forget that walking also falls under mobility, even if travelling on foot makes up 31 percent of trips made. The same case can be said for bikers as bike lanes on major roads are scarce in major cities. Due to
car-centric urban planning, this leads to intense physical and emotional exhaustion for pedestrians, commuters, and bikers since they are given low priority. Despite the outcry for the lack of priority on mobility, there is still a long way to go before the safety of commuters and pedestrians alike is ensured. While projects such as the coding scheme or the Build, Build, Build initiative were made to ease traffic, they place little emphasis on walkways and public spaces. Likewise, the Commuter Rights Bill was proposed to lobby for a better public transport system, but the government has not given it priority since its proposal. While these measures were made with the intention to ease the transport crisis, they aren’t properly enforced as the transport crisis continues to worsen. Instead of unification, the population is driven into divisions that frustrate each other and become blind to the reality that transport affects everyone. At its root, this transport crisis is a systematic problem that won’t disappear overnight. It is prevalent and has already become the norm to us —we mustn’t let it continue to be the normal standard of our commute. To be complacent and passive about the situation is to fall into the broken system of the country. To act responsibly and be critically informed is a big task, but at the very least we can exercise compassion and understanding that we’re all making do with the poor resources allocated by the government. Pinning the blame on a specific group of people won’t solve a systemic problem. By understanding the plight of commuters, we can then see the broader problem and open our eyes to the system that does injustice to its constituents and persistently demand for change.
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News
Atenean Voice What are your thoughts on the recently passed Anti-Terror Law? PHOTO BY BETTINA CUAN
Alyanna Arches 3 BS COMTECH
“I agree with the importance of protecting citizens from possible terrorist attacks but the lack of clarity in the Terror Law allows it to be...susceptible to abuse, especially by our own administration. [...] [Their] decision to pass a law such as this during a pandemic says so much about where their priorities lie—and it’s not with the people. Health measures should be their utmost priority along with providing relief measures to those who lost their jobs, front liners, students, public workers, etc.”
John* 3 BFA ID
“It’s unnecessary in the midst of the pandemic. Why now of all times [does the government] push a bill about terrorism which is not the present concern of the country? Instead of providing solutions to ease and resolve issues regarding the thousands of deaths [due to the pandemic], they decide to push [the bill]. What is their motive? What do they want out of this? We don’t really know, but what we know is that it is absurd.”
Andie Cosio 2 BS ITE
“People have protested, both online and offline, and the government continuously turns a blind eye and a deaf ear [to the requests of] their citizens. This behavior is unacceptable, and we, as Filipinos, know too well what it’s like to live in a country that we couldn’t call our own [given its lack of democracy]. I’ve said it before, but the Terror Bill takes the Filipino’s voice away. It can be seen in current events, and I truly wish for [its] retraction and revision because Filipinos—as citizens—have a right to speak and to be listened to.”
Maria Amparo Warren Professor, Fine Arts Department
“We’re supposed to look to the law for clarity, and we’re also supposed to hold our government accountable. But the recent signing of the Anti-Terror Law proved grim on both fronts. There’s now an overly broad definition of what can be punishable as ‘terrorism,’ with Sec. 9 stating that even ‘incitement’ by speech, proclamation, or making banners merits imprisonment. I also agree with other human rights advocates that it’s alarming how much oversight this law will grant the executive branch of government as compared to the judiciary.”
Matthew Flores 2 AB POS-MPM
“While there are legitimate concerns about terrorism in our country, we should not weaponize the law. Without proper oversight and clearer definitions, signing this into law would be paramount to legalizing government abuse of power. We must ask ourselves by supposedly limiting the threat of terror, do we increase the threat of government abuse?”
Nix* 3 AB DipIR
“The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is a policy created to protect ‘life, liberty, and property from terrorism.’ Essentially, it seeks to criminalise acts deemed as ‘terrorism’ by the state. While the prospect of such may inherently seem to be for the nation’s best interest, fault is found in the vagueness and flexibility of the act. There is much that can be picked apart: from the broadness of the definition of an ‘act of terrorism’ to the arguably unconstitutional path it clears for 14-24 day detainment without charge.”
Apple* 3 AB DipIR
“The Anti-Terrorism [Law] threatens the constitutional rights and dignities of Filipinos. Beyond that, prioritizing the passage of this bill over implementing effective medical solutions for this pandemic is alarmingly concerning. It sends the message that the administration would rather silence the voices of the citizens instead of addressing the incompetencies and issues that concern the Filipinos’ health and livelihood.”
Jok de Leon 2 AB PSY
“The recent signing of the Anti-Terrorism Law is highly inappropriate and even inhumane, considering [its] timing. [...] While the lawmakers say it’s for good intention, government officials can easily use the law in order to regulate the response of the people to their liking, and doing so by labeling them as “terrorists” based on their standards. This opens up a door for the dangers of unchecked powers due to its unconstitutional nature.”
Mella Tapia 2 BS PSY
“The passing of the Anti-Terrorism Law ironically left me terrified. There were plenty of issues raised in opposition to its signing: unconstitutional warrantless arrest, unspecified anti-terror council standards, abuse and lack of confidence in implementation—sectors nationwide were pushing for revision or repeal from their representatives and via petitions! [The fact] that those calls went completely unheeded was, for me, a downright chilling display of what little regard some people in power have for the vulnerable affected by their agenda.”
Jt Valiente President, Ateneo Economics Association
“I categorically disagree with the ethics of the recently enacted Anti-Terrorism Law. Under the Ateneo Economics Association, we cited these main points for our dissent: Firstly, we believe that this is blatant democratic suppression as the vague wording in the act [is] a danger to those who dissent. The law can thus be abused by the powerful for their own benefit. Secondly, we believe that this is a misdirected priority in a health crisis, as this was passed before any economic stimulus package with provisions for public health accountability.”
*Editor’s Note: Some interviewees’ names have been changed upon their request to protect their identities.
Glimpses 390 employees honored online in 42nd University Services Awards The Ateneo community honored 390 employees and faculty members at the 42nd University Services Awards on July 24 to recognize their years of service and commitment to the University. This is an annual tradition conferred to employees from the Basic Education Unit and the Loyola Schools for every five years of service to the Ateneo. In lieu of the traditional physical ceremony at the Ateneo High School Covered Courts, video messages were posted on the University’s official website and YouTube channel to recognize the awardees. These videos featured messages of gratitude from former University President Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ, and the recipients of the awards. JILLIAN LOPEZ
Ateneo collaborates with BPI Foundation to launch Pagpupugay Scholarship Fund In collaboration with the Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation (BPIF) and various Philippine colleges and universities, the Ateneo de Manila University launched the Pagpupugay Scholarship Fund. The five-year scholarship program aims to finance the undergraduate studies of 10 chosen scholars who are a deceased medical frontliner’s next of kin. To qualify, they must be currently enrolled in the Loyola Schools or other partner institutions of the BPIF, as well as have a general weighted average of 85% in the previous school year. They must also be the child of a medical frontliner who passed away during the pandemic, or the sibling if the deceased frontliner is single. The scholarship applications closed on July 31 and the results will be announced to the chosen scholars by the end of August. JILLIAN LOPEZ
Sanggunian implements Code of Legislative Procedures
Sociopolitical aspects of COVID-19 pandemic discussed in SOSS Series Webinar
On June 10, Interim Sanggunian President Jb Bejarin approved the Sanggunian Code of Legislative Procedures in an effort to improve legislation processes and policy-making within the Central Assembly (CA). According to a memorandum that Interim Sanggunian Vice President Kat Moreno issued on June 15, the code also replaces her office’s Legislation Division to make way for the CA Secretariat, an “autonomous unit attached only to the CA.” The CA Secretariat is tasked to ensure, improve, and execute current systems and the “capacity development efforts” of the legislative body. It also facilitates the creation and maintenance of session journals, the recordings of CA sessions, the official archive for legislations, and the official communications systems for the CA. Currently, Secretariat Shannen Pondoc and Secretary-General Gian Abalos comprise the CA Secretariat unit. JILLIAN LOPEZ
The School of Social Sciences (SOSS) Sanggunian, in partnership with various Ateneo student organizations, livestreamed the SOSS Series Webinar on its Facebook page, an initiative that aims to discuss topics such as the history of pandemics and their sociopolitical implications, virus control and prevention strategies, health policies and guidelines, and the effects of prolonged lockdowns on the economy and public health. Through its five episodes, speakers from within and beyond the Loyola Schools explored the importance of various social sciences fields in the context of an international health crisis. The episodes featured key speakers such as Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Charles Jose and Political Science Instructor Javier Tionloc. Vice President Leni Robredo, University President Fr. Roberto Yap, SJ, and Senator Risa Hontiveros were also among those who delivered special remarks. JILLIAN LOPEZ
Like us on Facebook facebook.com/TheGUIDONSports Follow the happenings in Ateneo Sports @TheGUIDONSports EDITORS: ALLY S. CRESPO AND GERRICK C. LIMSIY LAYOUT ARTIST: JAMES ELIJAH YAP
Sports
THE FINAL BUZZER The issues that plague the ABSCBN franchise may result in the end of the network’s storied partnership with the UAAP.
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MEN AND WOMEN FOR OTHERS. A number of Ateneo athletes have taken their own time to help the frontliners facing the COVID-19 pandemic through fundraisers, and donations. PHOTO COURTESY OF MATT NIETO
A shared triumph
PHOTO COURTESY OF MAXINE ESTEBAN
BY XAVIER C. BAUTISTA AND ADELENE HA
CAPTIVATING AND inspiring, Atenean athletes are symbols of passion and excellence in their respective sports. The 82nd Season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) was said to showcase much of their excellence and potential. However, collegiate athletic careers have been put on hold to combat a much bigger battle: The COVID-19 pandemic. Since the quarantine began in March, various Atenean athletes such as the Nieto twins and Esteban sisters have aided in relief operations and organized fundraisers to support those affected by the pandemic. Placing the welfare of numerous people before themselves and fostering a sense of community beyond the grounds of Ateneo, these athletes bring the “Men and women for others” mantra to life. BEYOND THE COURT Being witnesses to the effects of the pandemic, Matt and Mike Nieto have been supporting the locals at Cainta, Rizal. Under the wing of their ninong (godfather), Cainta Mayor Kit Nieto, the brothers have been supporting his endeavors to reach out to the community. Exposed to the challenges of public service, the former Ateneo basketball stalwarts worked in collaboration with Kit Nieto to donate numerous sacks of rice, canned goods, and sports drinks to residents and frontliners of Cainta.
The cagers also sought aid from their respective Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams to fund other necessities for their hometown. With the help of the NLEX Road Warriors and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, the Nieto twins were able to supply washable face masks, face shields, e-scooters, and pillows to the Cainta locals. Carrying the torch forward, Ateneo Women’s Fencing Phenom Maxine Esteban launched her “A Small Thing Goes A Long Way” fundraiser in April. Witnessing the efforts of fellow national athlete Hidilyn Diaz, the Season 81 MVP drew inspiration from her involvement to launch her own campaigns and initiatives. Starting from the simple act of assembling face masks in her home, Esteban’s project managed to raise Php 360,000. The beneficiaries of her program include the personnel and patients of the University of Santo Tomas Hospital, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital, National Children’s Hospital, San Juan Children’s Hospital, and Pasig City General Hospital. The funds generated from the initiative allowed Esteban to donate 92 bottles of alcohol, 12,050 kilograms of rice, 1,000 face shields, and 50-pieces of Prone Pillows to COVID-19 patients. On top of this, she donated her Philippine Sports Commission allowance worth Php 140,000 to the fundraiser.
Aside from the aforementioned campaign, Maxine—along with her sister Mia—turned their painting hobby into an opportunity to raise more money. With the support of the ArtRocks group—the charity arm of St. Luke’s Urology Alumni Association—the Esteban sisters auctioned off around 20 paintings to raise a total of Php 100,000. With the funds from the auction, the Estebans donated numerous food packages to affected barangays in San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City, San Juan City, and Parañaque City. They also included the Ateneo Fencing Team’s coaching staff as one of their beneficiaries. Utilizing their platform, the Nieto twins and the Esteban sisters have been able to reach out to various sectors in need. Their inspiration is no longer about winning a basketball game or a fencing bout, but rather helping communities combat COVID-19. FROM JERSEYS TO CAPES Public service has always been valued in the Nieto household. Attributing the influence from their parents and grandparents, Mike Nieto emphasized how it has been present in their formation since they were young. “I think namana namin ‘yan sa lolo at lola namin (we inherited that from our grandparents)—and that’s why our ninong also ran for mayor in Cainta and at the same time si daddy kung bakit siya
ay (became a) public doctor,” he shared. With their COVID-19 relief efforts impacting the lives of many people, former Ateneo point guard Matt Nieto stressed the overall satisfaction of giving back to their community as well. “You see different emotions— some people crying and many filled with joy. On our part, it is also very much rewarding even if kami yung nagbibigay (even if we were the ones giving),” he stated. Whether it is in seeing the people’s reactions or receiving messages of gratitude, these acts of appreciation bring the Nieto brothers fulfillment all the same. From their upbringing in Loyola Heights to their eventual selection in the 2019 PBA Philippine draft, family values remain deeply
ingrained in the Nieto twins. Molding themselves to be who they are today, the communities of Cainta will always dwell in the hearts of the Nieto family. On the other hand, Maxine Esteban shared bittersweet realizations from the project. Despite being able to raise funds for affected families, the renowned fencer felt that there is still more that can be done. “I discovered that there are many people who are in need of my help, that’s why I’m sad because that’s all I can do,” she said. Believing that small acts can inspire many to partake in communal service, Esteban also encouraged others to think of personal ways to help. “Think of the people who are in need of help right now and ways on how you
can help them. Kahit small ways lang (even in small ways) because even through your small acts, [one] may inspire a lot of people,” she mentioned. CONTINUE TO FLY HIGH Regardless of their sports, the Nieto twins and Esteban sisters continue to contribute to the battle against COVID-19 through their heartfelt resolve to help communities in need. The impact these athletes have made for their beneficiaries prove that anyone can make a difference—and that being “men and women for others” goes beyond sports. For them, it means engaging closely with and caring for vulnerable communities, as well as finding purpose in helping others survive during these trying times.
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Sports
GALLERY OF E AGLES
Yana Bautista
Forever a bright star BY JAVIER P. MAPA ILLUSTRATION BY DENEV C. NG
When you give her instructions to mark this player, she will really mark this player and give her [opponent] a hard time. BOB MANLULO AWFT HEAD COACH
YA NA BAUTISTA left an impact wherever she went. On track to become a key player for the Ateneo Women’s Football Team (AWFT), there was no limit to what she could have achieved. At only 17 years old, her tragic passing sent shockwaves throughout the entire Philippine football community. Despite her life being cut short due to Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), Yana touched the lives of many on and off the pitch. A SPECIAL KIND OF PLAYER Yana began playing football at the age of seven. With her talent, she made her way up the ranks of the Miriam College Grade School team and often trained with older players. This exposure allowed her to hone her skills early on and paved the way for her to eventually become the
captain of the Miriam College High School Team. Like her older siblings Martie and Inigo, Yana’s dream was to play for Ateneo at the collegiate level, a dream that finally came to fruition when she was officially accepted into the AWFT in March. For AWFT Head Coach Bob Manlulo, attitude and guts were Yana’s most impressive traits. “When you give her instructions to mark this player, she will really mark this player and give her [opponent] a hard time,” he shared. AN EVEN BETTER PERSON More than an athlete, Yana enjoyed exploring new things such as dancing, painting, and songwriting. As a student, she valued her academics and was part of the honor roll in high school. Those close to her
knew that she would easily fit into the Ateneo system that expects holistic excellence from its student-athletes. “If she got into Ateneo, it would have been a breeze for her to juggle her extracurricular activities, including academics, because she’s just that type of person,” said Martie. Beyond her reputation as a talented student-athlete, it was Yana’s personality that brought light to others. Coach Bob remembered her as someone who is kalog—always happy and easy to joke around with. As for Martie, Yana was always there to cheer her up when she felt frustrated or needed advice. “I would just tell her, ‘Today was really hard,’ and I would cry to her, and she would always be there to embrace me and tell me, ‘Marts, come on, you look so ugly crying right now,’ and I love that about
her,” Martie said. Yana’s optimism shone in the worst times—even during her final moments. FINAL BATTLE In March, Yana started feeling numbness in her left foot and weakness in her arms while also experiencing constant migraines. After a few weeks of uncertainty, Yana was diagnosed with ADEM— an autoimmune disease characterized by a widespread attack on brain tissue and the spinal cord. In July, with Yana’s condition not improving, the Bautista family was referred to a specialist who had Yana tested for COVID-19 as a precautionary measure. According to the doctors, she caught a strain of the virus that targets the neurological system and instigates ADEM. From then on, everything happened very quickly. On July 23, Martie woke up to the news that Yana received cardiopulmonary resuscitation and needed intubation. Not long after, Yana passed away peacefully in her sleep. MORE THAN A NUMBER Yana’s life proved that she is more than just a COVID-19 statistic. Among the six new deaths that day was someone with her whole life ahead of her. She was just a teenager excited to enter college and, eventually, get her first tattoo with her siblings. “A lot of times right now the media portrays her as, ‘Up and coming football star.’ She didn’t plan those things. When you were an incoming freshman, were you thinking about graduating and becoming a lawyer? No, you were excited! Like, ‘Oh, it’s a new school, it’s a new set of people. I’m excited for this.’ That was her, an excited, incoming Atenean,” Martie said. A star both on and off the pitch, Yana Bautista departed with her legacy intact. She will forever be remembered as an athlete, sister, daughter, and friend who was—and always will be—an inspiration and light to many.
The GUIDON | August-September 2020
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALEXANDRA HUANG, JEFF PASCUAL, JOHN ORANGA, ANTON ROXAS, AND ARVIN LIM | GRAPHICS BY DENEV C. NG
S P O R T S O P I N IO N
The final buzzer BY JOACHIM S. MELO AND JULIANA L. ONG
THE BATTLE between the ABS-CBN Corporation and the National Telecommunications Commission hit its crescendo on May 5 when the latter issued a cease and desist order against the former. The expiration of the broadcasting contract between the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and ABS-CBN Sports + Action (S+A) shortly followed on May 31. To add to the network’s list of worries, S+A itself was also shut down on August 31. A trusted partner for 20 years, ABS-CBN’s role in making the UAAP what it is today cannot be ignored. Despite this storied partnership, the restrictions that besiege ABS-CBN and its expired broadcasting contract with the UAAP have left the league and its athletes hanging in the balance. With ABS-CBN’s hands bound, it is due time the UAAP bid adieu to its coverage partner of two decades. THE KAPAMILYA ERA The ABS-CBN network has shaped the growth and development of the UAAP in substantial ways. For UA AP Season 82 President Emmanuel Fernandez, ABS-CBN provided the league with a platform to broadcast more UAAP sports. “We [UAAP and ABS-CBN] grew together, in terms of what was being seen on TV,” he stated. Aside from broadcasting games, ABS-CBN’s impact on the UAAP manifests in the opportunities they provided to the league’s athletes— as evidenced by former Queen Eagle Alyssa Valdez in her interview with
The GUIDON Sports. The volleyball star highlighted how valuable ABS-CBN’s support was in her long-term formation and growth. “Lumaki talaga ako na natulungan na ako ng ABS-CBN (I grew up with ABS-CBN helping me), not just in volleyball, but in life also,” she shared. While generations of athletes may have benefitted from ABSCBN’s support, this might not be the case in the near future. The restrictions imposed on the network may curb the development of the UAAP’s student-athletes. Media exposure is key in the collegiate sports industry—and the network’s absence on television severely limits student-athletes’ future opportunities. Thus, those yearning to learn and grow from stints—such as Valdez having commentated for the UAAP and National Collegiate Athletic Association volleyball leagues— may be disappointed as their chances to learn may be limited in an online setup. While a partnership with ABS-CBN through the years has been fruitful for the UAAP, the league’s past history with the network should not decide the UAAP’s future. With the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal, the UAAP should begin to explore broadcasting partnerships with other networks. UAAP AFTER ABS-CBN: QUO VADIS? While one cannot contest ABS-CBN’s legacy in the sporting world, there exists a palpable line between the network’s past feats
and present capabilities. The exit of ABS-CBN from free-to-air television spells the difference for the league in the seasons to come. Given the limited broadcasting services that ABS-CBN can offer, the UAAP would see a
definitive collapse in viewership should it consider retaining their partnership. From hereon after, the television giant can no longer serve the UAAP the way it used to. “At the end of the day, UAAP will exist. UAAP is not tied to
With the UAAP’s partnership with ABS-CBN hanging by a thread, the honor of being the league’s next media partner is open.
ABS-CBN,” said Fernandez. “Gagawin at gagawin ng UAAP kung kailangan niya for the games to be shown on TV, to look for a partner to produce the games on free TV. Kasi iyon ang trabaho ng UAAP eh, kailangan gawin iyon (The UAAP will relentlessly find a way for the games to be shown on TV, to look for a partner to produce the games on free TV. Because that’s the UAAP’s job, it has to be done),” he expounded. The possibility of a renewed partnership with ABS-CBN is certainly still viable if certain conditions are met. Before a partnership with any network can be delved into, the league must explicitly state the necessity of access to the free air. Nationwide free television access to the UAAP ensures the continued strengthening of its national presence and viewership. With the UAAP and ABS-CBN’s partnership hanging by a thread, the opportune moment of being the league’s next media partner is open. Among the UA AP’s long-running list of suitors is TV5’s One Sports, which was recently relaunched in an attempt to rebrand and extend TV5’s sports coverage. The newly minted sports network is home to leagues such as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the Phillipine Superliga (PSL), and most recently, the National Basketball Association (NBA) games. The network’s latest move to relaunch its sports arm affirms its commitment to deliver highly-anticipated sporting events to all sports enthusiasts. Impressive track records aside, One Sports’s obvious edge over
ABS-CBN is their current rights to televise nationally on free TV—something incredibly valuable to the UAAP. “Cable is good, online [platform] is good, but still, hindi siya (it’s not) free TV,” said Fernandez. Thus, the prospect of online platforms with ABS-CBN is nullified by the possibility of having both online platforms and free television broadcasting with another network. By having unhindered access to all media platforms, networks like One Sports have the tools needed to widen the UAAP’s audience. Although the exit of ABS-CBN leaves large shoes for other networks to fill, it seems that One Sports is more than qualified to take the former’s seat on the throne. THE SHOW MUST GO ON Despite the crucial role ABS-CBN had on the UAAP’s development, the government-mandated restrictions that plague the network’s broadcasting services signal that the league must seek out another media partner. While most remain to speak in fond memory of ABS-CBN’s 20-year run, the UAAP cannot afford to let any prevailing sentiment get in the way of their final decision. At the end of the day, the league must provide its athletes and audiences the best platform for growth and entertainment. Lest ABS-CBN is able to meet the league’s lone requisite to air matches on free television, the UAAP will need to name a new broadcasting partner for the sake of its member-universities, athletes, and fans.
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EDITOR: RAPHAEL C. DELA CRUZ LAYOUT ARTIST: FRANCES LOPEZ
Beyond Loyola
A COUNTRY IN THE DARK Contrary to the goals of privatizing the energy sector, the country’s aging power grid finds itself struggling to cope with household demand.
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ILLUSTRATION BY CECILIA DATILES
Stuck in transit BY PIOEE B. BASSIG AND TROY G. TARRIELA ILLUSTRATION BY GERI PUNO
METRO MANILA has long suffered from heavy traffic and crisis-ridden mass transit, i n f a m o u s l y e a r n i n g it s reputation as the city with the world’s second-worst traffic congestion. Despite numerous calls for reform and mounting pressure throughout the decade, the region finds itself left with band-aid solutions. While there are few efforts to resolve the transportation crisis, these are underpinned by a car-centric culture that pervades Metro Manila. The roots of this culture can be traced to the 1950s, when urban designs began to prioritize cars over pedestrians and mass transit in anticipation of other transportation modes growing obsolete. Ho w e v e r, s t u d ie s s a y otherwise—poor governance and neglect persist in the public t r a nspor t s y stem, wh ich 56% of Filipinos use. The gover n ment h a s i n ste ad deferred these duties by brokering prec a r iou s publ ic -pr iv ate partnerships where profit often supersedes public welfare. These measures reveal not only an overloaded road network and a broken mass transit system, but also a growing divide between the rich and poor. MOVING IS LIVING Many commuters—especially those living outside Metro Manila and relying on mass transit—face more barriers to improving their quality of life. According to urban planning expert Felino Palafox Jr., nine to 15 years of Filipinos’ lives
are spent in traffic, preventing productive, if not meaningful, use of that time. A Boston Consulting Group study also reported that Filipinos annually lose Php 100,000 in lost opportunities due to traffic. Some lost opportunities are not as easily measured as commuter group AltMobility PH’s Chief Mobility Officer Jedd Ugay pointed out. He explained that refusing better jobs in far areas to avoid arduous commutes leads to economic losses as it limits employment opportunities, and studies show t hat Filipinos put much weight on commutes in seeking jobs. Nonetheless, a n u nsa fe and inef f icient mass transit system discourages commuters from using it. Indiv iduals who have the purchasing power favor the comfort and freedom a car offers instead. A dependence on cars, Ugay stressed, breeds negative consequences other people did not choose to incur: Accidents, noise, pollution, and medical costs that not all can afford.
s t a l l s pr o g r e s s i n t h e tra nspor t sec tor, leav ing t he c it y v u l ne r a ble to unreg ulated zoning policy and road allocation. Moreover, there is a stark contrast between private-car owners and commuters, as only 12% of households in Metro Manila own cars, while the rest are left to survive on an overwhelmed public transit system.
Given that private cars prevail over mass transit, the National Economic and Development Agency reported that roads are inefficiently used. A solution to this is mass transport, Ugay argued. Multiple lanes of private cars should not be transporting the same number of passengers a single mass transit vehicle can carry. Ugay cited that car-centric urban designs consume
[We] cannot divorce transport policy and the transport system from the way that the city is designed.
ROADBLOCKS TO PROSPERITY
Mobilit y is not only a question of transit and traffic, but also of urban design. Urban economics professor Vincent Venida, PhD emphasized that “[we] cannot divorce transport policy and the transport system from the way that the city is designed.” Venida explained that the lack of a central body in charge of urban development
VINCENT VENIDA, PhD URBAN ECONOMICS PROFESSOR
A recent study revealed that Metro Manila only has one kilometer of road per 1,895 vehicles. To make matters worse, only 11. 4% of these vehicles are for public utility, while private cars make up a massive two thirds.
more publ ic sp ace a nd infrastr ucture such as car parking. This can be optimized by making space for produc t ive econom ic activities, affordable housing, or mass transport, which benefit
non-car owners more. Instead, the privileged have a monopoly of urban space that goes beyond cars. Venida explained that Metro Manila is littered with gated residential communities and entertainment zones that are accessible only to a privileged few. Venida added, “This only highlights the fact that there is a lot of space in the centers of Metro Manila that [is] not available for use to construct more residential units that the middle- and lower-income [citizens] can actually avail of.” The city’s car-centric design streng thens entrenched d iv ides bet ween economic classes, a nd e v idence has shown that worse economic conditions have translated to decreased political participation. SETTING THINGS IN MOTION Ug ay a nd Ven id a b ot h believe that people who hold power in policy matters are detached from public transpor t issues since ma ny public leaders a re ca r-r iders. “They know it from an intellect ua l point of v iew, but to actually live it on a day-t0day basis—they wouldn’t know,” Venida lamented. Commuters who are directly af fected, however, are not empowered to f ight for mass transit even if they recognize that mobility is a right, note d Ug ay. “. . . A lot of F i l ipi nos h ave to o m a ny problems already and they don’t have anymore—I guess—time
or resources to think about f i g ht i n g for t h i s r i g ht .” Instead, people assert their right to the road by owning cars, he added. To d a y, i n e q u i t i e s a r e evident in a pandemic-stricken Philippines and the pushback has been resounding. Transport advocates f rom pr ivate a nd public institutions have merged into the Move as One Coalition, pressu r ing t he gover nment to prov ide a Php 110 billion Biyahenihan Mobility Solut ions Packa ge. Coal it ion memb er s l i ke Ug ay h ave a lso lobbied for t he Ma g na Ca r ta for d ig n i f ied commuting to f ur ther legitimize the right to qualit y public transit. W h i le t he c reat ion of a central body dedicated to urban p l a n n i n g i s c r it ic a l , t h e inception of Move A s O ne u nder s core s a so c i a l imperative for refor ms to materialize: The public must make more concerted demands for a government that helps people—not cars—move. W het her public ser v a nts heed t he public ’s cr ies for improved mass transpor t is a not her quest ion . T hou g h u n ide a l , t he p a nde m ic i s a u n ique opp or t u n it y not just to rethink mass transit, but a lso to reima g i ne how cities are built. For now, many will be stuck with less forgiving com mutes , or wor se , w i l l be lef t behind on the lower rungs of the economic ladder, fending for themselves.
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Beyond Loyola
ILLUSTRATION BY FIDESS BISNAR
One-man show: the gig worker and economy BY ZACHARY C. GONZALES
FROM BR AV ING adverse weather conditions to traversing unknown roads in order to deliver items for a fleeting and often indifferent stranger, the career of a delivery and transportation gig worker is fast-paced—but with high-stakes and little reward. Underneath the helmets are people no different than the rest, but their hands-on and temporary work have made them susceptible to unnecessar y disrespect and even abuse. As people begin to rely more on delivery and transportation sevices due to stringent quarantine measures, it becomes unfair to demand quality service from these workers while simultaneously degrading them. This has prompted a review of what can and should be done for these two-wheeled frontliners. Since their ser vices are “performed as ride-hail and food delivery,” transportation and delivery workers are classified as gig workers. Along with freelancers and contract workers, they all constitute and contribute to the gig economy—a fairly new term to define “flexible, temporary, or freelance jobs.” In fact, the Philippines was the sixth fastest-growing market for the gig economy in 2019. Given the increasing demand for online shopping and delivery services, the gig economy is projected to experience a considerable boost. A nticipating this boom, Senator Sonny Angara mentioned how the lockdow n will see commerce adjust to the new normal. “Workers affected by the lockdown,” he added, “will start looking at alternative means of livelihood.”
Emmanuel Granada, for example, lost his job at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. To make ends meet, he has turned to the growing number of online purchases and delivery requests for livelihood, earning almost Php 1,440 a day. However, this comes not without cost. “Right now, there are more orders… there’s always a long line…there are also some main roads that are closed. But the hardest part is exhaustion,” said Joel, a delivery driver, as he detailed the struggles he and other workers face. Conversely, Harvey Jun, another delivery driver, bemoaned the scarcity of work. “There’s not much work but we try hard. Today, I’ve only had three deliveries even if I started at 2 PM,” he said. As more people subscribe to online services, others have also capitalized on these jobs—possibly saturating the industry with workers and thinning the available work. Despite their varied skirmishes, many gig workers would rather stay home if not for the need to sustain themselves and their families. “Riders don’t want to be outside but we need to do it,” disclosed Jericho, another worker. “[We] have bills to pay. We have no choice.” Whether they like it or not, delivery workers must persevere. All they ask in return is a bit of compassion and consideration. “Halos ayaw ka na kausapin ng mga customers kasi nga na co-conscious na sila sa nangyayari (Customers almost do not want to talk to you because they are conscious of what’s going on),” lamented Ronnel, a rider for a large courier company. “Baka kala nila may virus kami kasi iba-iba nga rin naka kasalamuha naming mga tao (Maybe they think we have the virus because we meet with different people).”
As people begin to rely more on delivery and transportation services due to quarantine measures brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unfair to demand quality service from these workers while simultaneously degrading them.
The GUIDON | August-September 2020
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A country in the dark BY DERICK M. GABRILLO
DESPITE EMERGING as one of the fastest-growing econom ies i n A sia , t he demand for power in the Philippines far outstrips the country’s energy production capacity. Several attempts to reform the power industry such as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) were made to privatize the sector and slash electricity bills. Despite the changes in energy policy, energy costs for consumers remain among the highest in Asia. The COV ID-19 pandemic has aggravated this issue as households face “shock surges” in their electric bills due to a lack of physical meter readings from power providers. The latter has since adjusted to reflect actual usage—however, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi urged consumers to remain wary of their power consumption as the industr y str uggles to meet demand. In response to new energy requirements, voices in the energy sector have begun to heighten calls for diversity in fuel sources.
POWERING A NATION A lt hough t he cou ntr y aims for a greener and more d iverse ener g y m i x , most power pla nts st i l l r u n on fossi l f uels. A ccord i n g to A dvocates of S c ience a nd Tech nolog y for t he People (AGHA M) Secretar y-General Feny C osico, “A n g p ower industr y dito sa Pilipina s is very much dependent on coal… nag-cocontribute siya ng 49.6% ng total power mix (The power industr y in the Philippines is very much dependent on coal…it contributes 49.6% of the total power mix).” She added that the industry’s over-reliance on fossil fuels adds to the price of electricity as import costs and market f luctuations are shouldered by consumers as generation costs. Cosico pi n ned t he h ig h fees on the private sector’s p r o f i t- d r i v e n management. W hile the pr iv a t i z a t io n o f t h e p o w e r i n d u s t r y t h r o u g h E PI R A aimed to reduce bureaucratic i n e f f ic ie n c ie s a n d c o s t s , consu mers rema in sadd led
with a number of miscellaneous fees as “universal charges.” LIGHTS OUT The energy sector’s efforts at reform have not been enough to meet the need for reliable, accessible, and affordable power. To this day, several regions continue to experience service interr uptions or rotational brownouts. Experts attribute power outages to a lack of new plants and the age of active generators have persisted amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The issue of obsolescence, Cosico explained, stems from shifting the responsibilit y of plant construction and maintenance from the public to the private sector as a result of EPIR A. “Yung [mga ibang power plants] diyan ay na-build noong 1940s, 1950s and we’re saying na hindi na siya na-mamaintain well (Some of those power plants were built in the 1940s and 1950s, and we’re saying that they’re no longer well maintained),” she mentioned. The obsolete or dilap idated plants, coupled by
the brow nouts that plant maintenance and derating cause, can be detrimental to com mu n it y de velopment . Findings of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) suggest that powering communities can improve the residents’ quality of life. Members of powered com mu n it ies of ten h ave better access to education, employment, and higher income. In the Philippines’ case, access to electricity could improve household earnings by as much as 2 percent and employment by 0.59 percent because of increased productivity and investment. Energ y availability alone, however, is not enough to pull investment. The IDB report noted that unreliable power hurts firms as it limits overall productivity. This, along with high energy bills, have deterred foreign investment in recent years. Soaring power costs and regular outages have cost the country its momentum in economic growth. THE COST OF DARKNESS In spite of the power industry’s embattled state, DOE officials
have noted that the energy sector will be pivotal in guiding the country’s economic recovery. Although coal-based power has contributed to increasing supply and lowering costs, a paper published by Ateneo de Manila U n i v e r s i t y ’s E c o n o m i c s Department noted that coalbased power was particularly hit by the pandemic due to “lower sales at lower rates.” The International Energy Agency has since urged governments to adopt stimulus packages for renewable energy (RE)—that have thrived in low demand conditions—in the hopes of a id ing econom ic recover y while promoting clean power. Although energ y demands from firms were cut due to the pandemic, DOE officials expect the demand from households to increase as social distancing measures are still active. Seeing an opportunity in the loss of coal demand, groups have since pushed for a shift from fossil fuels to RE to support sustainable economic recovery. Cr it ics of EPIR A a nd subsequent attempts at reform
claim that these measures failed to provide the country with energy security. The embattled industry faces a new challenge with the current health and economic crises—to adapt to the energy requirements of the “new normal.” In order to do so, the energy sector must meet the challenge of providing affordable power to every household with innovative, clean energy solutions and transparent transactions if the economy is to recover from the pandemic.
The energy sector’s efforts at reform have not been enough to meet the need for reliable, accessible, and affordable power.
ILLUSTRATION BY JULIA SANTOS
BEHIND A HERO'S MASK When there’s trouble in this pandemic, you might know who to call, but the frontliners and volunteers we call heroes are more than the causes they call for.
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EDITOR: KEZIAH MARU Z. PASION LAYOUT ARTIST: KURT TAN
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Healing through delivered meals Sharing the comfort that food brought them, three chefs-at-heart craft home-cooked meals of hope ready for delivery. BY EALA JULIENNE P. NOLASCO
FINDING ONE’S footing in the “new normal” of limited movement is a bleak balancing act. In hopes of curbing the spread of COVID-19, stringent quarantine measures have made it challenging for everyone to gather and dine out. Consequently, the food industry confronts continued financial and employment losses—forcing small-medium scale food chains to cease operations and find a new arena online. Yet, food is more than just the flavor—it is also the company and experience shared. As social
distancing has made gathering impossible, Filipinos have found ways to cope by sharing meals through home-cooked food delivery services. Chefs-at-heart-turned-online entrepreneurs Gabriella Mara, Marie Claire Martin, and Beverly Diamante attest that food plays a vital role in our healing process through this crisis as cooking returns them to brighter days. PASSION PROJECT AND COMMUNITY COMFORT In a small subdivision in Biñan, Laguna, Gabriella Mara (3 AB POS) grapples with quarantine uncertainties by honing her childhood passion for cooking. Mara ran a delivery service
service which operated for the first two months of enhanced community quarantine. “When [the] quarantine started, one of the coping mechanisms that I had [was] cooking,” she shares. Mara’s reasons for delivering food within their neighborhood went beyond her own needs. Inspired by a friend who sells food to help neighbors who do not cook, Mara recalls being moved to do the same. In planning, cooking, and delivering home-cooked meals with her dad, Mara says that the process did not come without challenges. “People here, of course, would be looking for comfort food [such as] Filipino dishes,” she says. “[But] my dad, he wanted to go full Western.” With neither of them backing down, they ended up offering both cuisines. Mara’s returning customer, Nanette Roldan, attests that her recipes
“are simply great” regardless of her order. More than the gustatory satisfaction that Mara’s food brought Roldan, she explains, “At the initial stage of the quarantine where everyone is...panicking and afraid to [leave] their houses, Gabi’s delivery came as an instant solution to address [a] basic need: Food.” Just like Mara, Salsa ni Mommy owner Marie Claire Martin commits to extend the same comfort through her own recipe. RECOVERY AND CONTINUITY Based in Makati, Salsa ni Mommy officially operated as Metro Manila’s fresh tomato salsa supplier two years ago when Martin’s daughter pitched to brand the business. Its humble origin, however, stretches 10 years ago as a way for Martin to satisfy her cravings that were prohibited due to her health condition brought by lupus. “Bawal sa akin yun kasi baka maraming preservatives (I’m not allowed to eat preservativeladen food),” Martin shares as she recalls what initiated her food business concept. “I opened the [refrigerator] and saw tomatoes! In my mind then, why not make my own salsa? So I did! I let my family taste it and voila!” Martin explains that she pursued the business
Behind a hero’s mask Although volunteers have been lauded for their goodwill, there is more to them than meets the eye: Their struggles, fears, and hopes for a future where the needs of vulnerable sectors are met. BY GENESIS JACINTH TAN AND JULLIA CHEN | ILLUSTRATION BY MIKHAELLA NORLIN MAGAT DESPITE THE return to general community quarantine, COVID-19 cases in the Philippines continue to rise. With a COVID19 vaccine still far out of arm’s reach, Filipinos continue to face the unemployment woes and lack of access to resources—all to get by in the advent of the “new normal.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has called for some to put on their masks and capes to become volunteers. Eager to safeguard the community, volunteers from different areas have stepped forth to meet dire needs. MASKS BEFORE CAPES What started as a small initiative from a household kitchen grew into a team of over 500 volunteers called Frontliners’ Kitchen—a youth-led organization that aims to provide nutritious meals for health workers. Together with her team, Founder Jeanill Migraso (2 BS PSY) endeavors to
nourish frontliners with fresh and healthy meals. “Even though there were a lot of donations for hospital supplies, there were less donations for the well-being of the frontliners themselves,” Migraso explains. Upon coordination with hospitals, they are able to calculate the amount of food needed by medical frontliners and deliver them to their respective beneficiaries. Donations from people online help finance the meals’ expenses, which are accounted for via transparency reports posted on their Facebook page. A pa r t f rom i n it iat ives dedicated to health workers, there are also movements that aim to update the public on government interventions in response to crisis—especially in a time when there is an increasing demand to ensure fair governance. The GoodGovPH’s Bantay Bayan initiative heeds this call for transparency and accountability by monitoring local government units’ response to the pandemic. “Our members were worried that the crisis might be used as an excuse for government officials to commit corrupt practices, human rights violations, or political maneuvering,” explains GoodGovPH Executive Director Dexter Yang in an interview with CNN.
because she feels empowered when helping customers satisfy their cravings. “I feel so much fulfillment in being able to do that for them– that despite being a person with lupus, I can still be useful, I can still do something for people,” she says. In fact, returning customer Veron Briones attests that Martin’s salsa brings comfort and nostalgia—both “a much needed break from all the stresses of the current pandemic.” Likewise, Beverly Diamante, owner of Vernelli’s Sweets and Treats, aims to offer solace through her goods. NEWFOUND HOPE Vernelli’s Sweets and Treats— which has been operating for two months in Cabuyao, Laguna— is a lifelong culmination of Diamante’s childhood passion for food. Growing up to a family restaurant business that honors honest service, Diamante endeavored to do the same. By upholding the family tradition of selling products that carry the Christmas spirit such as polvoron and puto, she hopes to “inspire others of resilience, hope, and togetherness.” More than tradition, Diamante establishes herself by selling her own specialty: Lasagna. Allana Marie Legaspi, weets and Treats, shares that—upon trying Diamante’s products— it’s impossible not to go back for more. Legaspi notes that
purchasing Vernelli’s products helped her not only cope, but also earn income through reselling. However, selling food during quarantine is not easy for online entrepreneurs. Diamante and Martin attest to this, as they share constantly having to bear long lines in the supermarket despite the fear of contracting COVID-19. Nonetheless, positive feedback from customers motivates them to carry on. CONNECTED THROUGH TASTE The quarantine period is a cauldron of losses and new opportunities. With the closure of numerous small-medium enterprises comes the rise of small online businesses. Mara’s, Martin’s, and Diamante’s stories prove that food delivery is not just a means to fulfill one’s basic necessities. Home-cooked food delivery is a testament that—in the direst of times—food heals and unites communities when people share a lending hand. Although the end is a blur, a semblance of normalcy can be found through food.
ILLUSTRATION BY JAYCOB BUSTAMANTE
In pursuit of this objective, volunteers report crucial data in a digestible manner. Bantay Bayan website developer Tanzell Go (3 BS MIS) explains that the information gathered from Facebook posts and survey responses must be strategically presented on a map. Using colorcoded markers to represent each local government unit’s (LGU) effectiveness, it allows viewers to easily digest the performance of LGUs. Initiatives like those of Frontliners’ Kitchen and Bantay Bayan are easily lauded by onlookers. These acclamations, however, are not enough to compensate for their sacrifices. THE PRICE TAG OF SERVICE When it started to become clear that the pandemic would last longer than anticipated, postponing volunteer operations put into question. The steady increase of COVID-19 cases and the demand for more donations meant placing the lives of the volunteers themselves and their loved ones at greater risk. “I had to go to the market everyday and get exposed to a lot of people. One night, my
parents asked me if it was okay for me to stop; they begged me to,” Migraso recalls. She was worried as well—her parents are getting older, while she and her siblings are asthmatic. “There’s that apprehension of endangering your family in exchange for doing what you want for others. Which one do I choose? Other people, or the people precious to me?” she recounts. In the end, her parents realized what the cause meant to her and agreed to increase safety precautions by using personal protective equipment and practicing regular disinfection. Despite the risks these volunteers expose themselves to, society tends to neglect the struggles behind the scenes and glorifies them instead. The danger in romanticizing such hurdles then manifests in allowing volunteers to compensate for shortcomings in public service. From this, Go stresses the need for volunteer-led initiatives such as Bantay Bayan. “There’s been news that LGUs weren’t handling relief goods well, since there were missing resources that didn’t go [to intended beneficiaries],” he explains. Although the project gives an avenue for feedback, the
solution still lies in whether government units would recognize the community’s pleas and practice transparency in executing their programs—all while addressing the disproportionate impacts of the pandemic. WHAT HEROES HEED To extend ser v ice for community welfare is never an easy choice for volunteers to make. Many of them go by uncompensated while still being overworked. Considering this, we must do more than just recognizing their efforts. For Migraso, she encourages everyone to act on their initiative and passion. “If we wait for [society] to change as it is, we might be changed by the world, instead of us changing [it],” she reminds. There is now a greater focus on halting the spread of COVID-19, but it is just as important to remind ourselves that the volunteers of today are more than the causes they champion and enact. Although volunteerism alleviates deep-seated issues within communities, it only offers band-aid solutions to systemic imbalances that warrant better policy-making and review.
SEALED BALLOTS The suspension of on-campus classes and activities have affected the Sanggunian and its avenues for holding a general election, calling into question issues of student representation that may arise.
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EDITOR: JEANELLA P. MANGALUZ LAYOUT ARTIST: TIFFANY CU
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Cutting corners BY JUSTIN B. JIMENEZ AND RUSSELL LOUIS KU
As COVID-19 continues to disrupt normal operations, Ateneo’s workers at every level find their livelihoods at risk with the administration failing to provide an empathetic solution to their woes.
FROM NURTURING students to keeping the campus clean and safe, Ateneo workers are vital to the University community. However, underneath their image as the University’s internal cogs lies welfare that is seemingly overlooked amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With little to no working opportunities amidst the quarantine, workers such as Grilling 101 employee Ryan Ayco struggle to make ends meet. “Sobrang hirap po talaga para sa akin… lalong lalo na po ako lang po nagtatrabaho dito sa pamilya namin (It’s been hard for me since I’m the only one that is providing for our family),” he explains. Although relief efforts such as donation drives and the Department of Social Welfare and Development-led social amelioration program provided assistance to Ateneo workers, persisting concerns suggest that job insecurity has yet to be mitigated. As unemployment numbers surge to a record high
of 7.3 million jobless Filipinos, contractual employees constantly worry about their livelihoods. SWEAT AND TEARS Since the end of his contract at the beginning of August, Ayco remarks that he has not received any financial assistance from his employer nor the University. He also says that he was not informed of the terms of his contract, nor did he receive any PhilHealth, Social Security System, and Pag-IBIG welfare benefits in his tenure. Lacking a stable source of income, he now sells food to his friends and neighbors to sustain his family’s needs and to help his nieces purchase a laptop for online classes. Ayco also reached out to nonprofit organization Lipad Agila’s Director of External Affairs Jasmin Pandi (2 AB POS), who initiated a donation drive for him and his nieces. “Talagang kinapalan ko po yung mukha ko para makahingi ng tulong
I think it starts with proper representations if they just get to hear us out...the context right now is very different. Contractuals are more susceptible than ever because of the pandemic [...] and...it’s much harder to find a job.
DIANE* UNIVERSITY CONTRACTUAL WORKER
sa mga Atenista. Sila lang po talaga inasahan namin. Kung hindi dahil sa kanila hindi na po namin alam kung ano na po nangyari sa amin (I had to have thick skin to ask help from the Ateneans. We really depended on them. If it weren’t for them, I don’t know what would’ve become of us),” he says. Ayco’s situation is not an isolated case. Marie*, a John Gokongwei Student Enterprise Center (JSEC) worker, was recently laid off by her employers. Although she is grateful for the assistance she received from various student organizations’ fundraising initiatives, the livelihood of her family now solely depends on her husband who now works at a construction site. “Simula po nung lockdown wala pa pong kaming nahanap na bagong kabuhayan (Ever since the lockdown, we haven’t found a source of livelihood),” she notes. Manual laborers are not the only employees who find themselves on the brink of unemployment. Diane*, a University contractual employee, expresses her concern over her job security. She notes how the University administration has been providing ambiguous updates regarding her contractual status, which she later found out will be renewed until the end of the year. “It’s not really renewal but...just an extension of our contracts; so instead of the annual school year renewal of our contracts, we were just extended for around two months,” she explains. Diane also explained that by the time her contract ends, the University will assess whether the same number of employees from various University cluster offices can be sustained. As a contractual employee, Diane remains worried over whether the outcome of such discussion can secure her livelihood. She says, “Kung sakali na makita na pabagsak na ang enrollment, the office will file redundancies; ibig sabihin hindi na kailangan iyung daming employees (In the case that enrollment rates continue to fall, the office will file redundancies, which means that they won’t need as many employees anymore).”
ILLUSTRATION BY TIFFANY CU
INSUFFICIENT ASSISTANCE Despite giving employees their 13th month pay in advance, Diane and Ayco’s accounts suggest that the University administration’s attempts to alleviate Atenean contractual workers’ difficulties fall short. Diane explains that she receives a monthly allowance amounting Php 500 to support her work-from-home operations, but stresses that the payments are insufficient considering the cost of regular wi-fi and mobile plans. In a memo released on June 10, the University’s Board of Trustees temporarily suspended salary increases while imposing a hiring freeze on new contractual engagements. The administration also assured that they are doing their “utmost in finding enough workload for [their] present workforce.” However, Ateneo Employee and Worker Union President Sonnie Amata notes that since the start of the fiscal year on June 1, maintenance workers have been asked by the administration to start using their leaves to be able to sustain their income. He shares that his fellow laborers are worried that they might exhaust their benefits and transition into a “no work, no pay” scheme. “Since June 8…staggered na ang pasok namin. Sa [maintenance] department…two weeks a month ang trabaho (Our work has staggered since June 8. In the maintenance department, we only work two weeks a month),” Amata says. Furthermore, Pandi says that the administration’s current approach has been detrimental to workers as it has been unable to provide ways for laborers to provide income for themselves and their families. She also notes that a lot of laborers are afraid to speak against the University for fear of retaliation. BONAFIDE COMPASSION In a statement to The GUIDON, the Office of Human Resource Management and Organization Development (OHRMOD) stated that in the period of March 16 to June 7, all University employees were paid regardless whether work from home could be performed or not. Additionally, those who reported on-campus during that period were given overtime pay
Talagang kinapalan ko po yung mukha ko para makahingi ng tulong sa mga Atenista. Sila lang po talaga inasahan namin. Kung hindi dahil sa kanila hindi na po namin alam kung ano na po nangyari sa amin. RYAN AYCO GRILLING 101 EMPLOYEE
and were provided meals and lodging on campus. OHRMOD also noted that leaves with pay credits were advanced to the University employees who were not scheduled to work, as well as that the University has not laid off any employees. However, OHRMOD also explains that these aforementioned measures do not apply to nonUniversity personnel. With this, OHRMOD assures that they are finding long-term adaptive ways for their employees in helping the latter deal with the issues brought by the pandemic. “As we adapt to these changes, the University continues to review its work processes so that it can better serve the students and address emerging needs in this new environment. This also entails redesigning jobs, defining and developing competencies, and re-organizing our offices.” However, Diane believes that there should be proper representation for contractual employees in the decisionmaking processes of the University. “I think it starts with proper representations if
they just get to hear us out... the context right now is very different. Contractuals are more susceptible than ever because of the pandemic [...] and...it’s much harder to find a job,” she says. Although the University has indeed shown compassion with the decision to mass promote the student body in AY 20192020, Diane hopes that the contractual employees that work within the University experience the same treatment. As the University continues to adapt to the new normal, it is important for the administration to consider the needs of every sector in the Ateneo community regardless of their positions on paper. For employees like Ayco, Diane, and Marie, the COVID19 pandemic appears to have highlighted the University’s longrunning labor issues, as workers across sectors find themselves at risk of unemployment during a public health crisis. *Editor’s Note: The names of Diane and Marie have been changed at their request in order to protect their identity and privacy.
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Sealed ballots BY GERARD IGNACIO AND DENISE C. MARCELO ILLUSTRATIONS BY KURT TAN
The suspension of on-campus classes and activities have affected the Sanggunian and its avenues for holding General Elections, calling into question issues of student representation that may arise. ARTICLE VI, Section 2.1 of the 2019 Undergraduate Constitution states that in the event of a vacant presidency, the Vice President will assume office and appoint a successor from the pool of school representatives. This contingency was enacted on May 8 following the graduation of former Sanggunian President Quiel Quiwa and the Ateneo Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) decision to suspend the General Elections. This was done with the transition of power to Jb Bejarin and the establishment of an interim government. With the first semester looming and student elections still uncertain, Bejarin states that the Sanggunian is willing to comply with the course of action that Ateneo COMELEC decides to adopt. However, Bejarin expresses concerns about the loss of representation, given that students may be denied the opportunity to choose their leaders if elections are cancelled altogether. Thus, Bejarin believes that in a time when on-site activities have been suspended, the Sanggunian’s current test is to be “more inclusive with [its] decision-making” and to surmount the difficulties of
upholding democracy at the University level. FACING THE FUTURE As the interim government navigates alternative avenues for the student body to influence decision-making in the University, Bejarin affirms that the Sanggunian is improving its systems to foster more involvement from the LS students. He hopes that the relaunch of Sabihin Sa Sanggu (SSS)—an initiative first established in AY 20182019—can address the need for a platform where students can effectively raise their concerns. The SSS, according to Bejarin, will be integrated into the Sanggunian’s website by September. He also mentioned that channels for “how to obtain thesis grants, mental health subsidies, and resource partnerships” are being developed. Besides revamping external systems, Bejarin states that his government has also adopted a student-centric approach to evaluate the Sanggunian’s internal setup and operations. According to Bejarin, “comments about the Sanggunian’s size” and data from a recent student perception survey have aided structural reform and planning “[at least] for the interim period.” As the Sanggunian reassesses its processes for “project conceptualization, communication, and budget formulation,” Bejarin emphasized the imperative for any changes to
be grounded on the extraordinary realities and needs of the student body today. Noting that the COVID19 pandemic strengthened collaboration within the community, Bejarin states that enhanced communications with the University administration have amplified grievances related to online learning. Indeed, the Sanggunian mediated transparency between the students and the administration, especially by facilitating surveys and discussion groups for feedback on intersession classes. Citing an uptick in survey respondents and students reaching out to the Sanggunian’s Facebook page as promising signs, Bejarin hopes that student engagement will heighten throughout his term. Despite his optimistic outlook, Bejarin acknowledges that issues of adequate representation, coupled with the mass dispersion of the student body, still slow down the Sanggunian’s strides towards inclusive governance. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but I guess we’re going [in] a good direction [because] students have
gotten us this far,” he says. With Recruitment Week (RecWeek) fast-approaching, Bejarin hopes that the Sanggunian’s campaign can cement it as “everyone’sstudent government.” EXTERNAL EXPECTATIONS AND INSIGHTS Despite reassurance from Bejarin, uncertainty over student elections lingers. Along with the student body, the other branches of the student government— specifically Ateneo COMELEC and the Student Judicial Court (SJC)—will be keenly monitoring the Sanggunian. Ateneo COMELEC Officerin-Charge John Patrick Lumbre confirms that they will conduct a constituency check in the first semester regarding the feasibility of online elections. This course of action was advised by Current SJC Chief Magistrate Nicole Tolentino. Tolentino further explained that in case Ateneo COMELEC lacks the resources for an online election, the SJC will not declare anything final regarding it. Lumbre states that they are still discussing contingencies for how they will tackle this issue. With regard to the possibility of a “blended” election— using both online
and traditional voting—Tolentino stated that it would “[...]cause a lot of complications [...] because the provisions are going to be very particular about it.” In the context of Ateneo COMELEC’s restrictions for the year, Lumbre says that Ateneo COMELEC is understaffed due to senior members either having graduated already or prioritizing their academics, which may affect their overall performance. Nonetheless, Ateneo COMELEC assures that they are doing their best to maintain the fairness and accessibility of elections, and are coordinating with the Office for Student Activities (OSA) on the dissemination of electionrelated information. Tolentino affirmed that students can approach both the SJC and the Ateneo COMELEC through their emails and respective social media channels, should they have any concerns about the elections. DEMOCRACY IN DOUBT With the fate of Sanggunian General Elections still unclear, student representation within the University is put into question. Political Science professor Oliver Quintana, however, believes that participation in the political system does not “end the moment [students] cast [their] ballot.” He elaborates that democracy can still be guaranteed as long as the values of “people participation, transparency, and accountability” are practiced within the LS community. “I think the main reason why this [representation] is an issue is because students need to be assured that their best interests are always pursued by the Sanggunian,” Quintana says. He explains that since the
Sanggunian’s reach now extends into the students’ homes, it will entail confronting domestic issues as well. “It’s a different setting now, so if [students] don’t participate, we won’t have the opportunity to address these [new] problems,” he adds. Although the Sanggunian is dealing with the unprecedented challenge of representing a geographically scattered student body, Bejarin states that they remain steadfast in safeguarding the Ateneo’s culture of democracy. While the abrupt term extension initially stirred mixed reactions from the Sanggunian’s high-ranking members, Bejarin believes their recommitment to their roles is a sign of persevering service to the student body. Bejarin also personally appeals to the student body for cooperation, warning that the Sanggunian’s efforts will amount to little if they are underutilized. While the pandemic may have necessitated the enactment of an interim government, Quintana still urges students to remain vigilant and vocal about the Sanggunian’s plans. With the conventional means of participation and representation disrupted, the Sanggunian and the student body must now share the bigger responsibility of keeping democracy alive outside the tradition of school elections.
The GUIDON | August-September 2020
P H O T O E S S AY
Dewdrops and crumblets BY KIANA ALTOVEROS AND ANN DOMINGO ILLUSTRATIONS BY KAITLYN W. MERCADO
With workers across the country struggling to make ends meet during a public health crisis, the kindness of private individuals and groups can only go so far.
IN LESS than a year, the COVID19 pandemic rendered 45.5% of the Philippines’ adult labor force unemployed—workers in the Loyola Schools were no exception. Among those who lost their livelihoods is John Gokongwei Student Enterprise Center (JSEC) cashier Sarah*, whose contract with her employers already ended in May along with all the other JSEC employees. Workers like Sarah are not recognized as University employees since they work on a contractual basis under JSEC stall owners. Similarly, security guards work for private subcontractor Megaforce Integrated Security Agency. Hence, the administration’s auxiliary measure of releasing University employees’ 13th month pay in advance does not apply to workers like them. In response, various studentrun fundraisers that help individual employees and JSEC workers have made rounds in social media. However, as the country enters its fifth month in lockdown, these workers are left to wonder how long they can rely on community efforts. PULLING TOGETHER Job insecurity has been a perennial issue in the University— the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has only further exacerbated this. Disaster risk reduction specialist Benigno Balgos describes this type of situation as a “crisis within a crisis,” wherein the pandemic further magnifies underlying social inequalities in a community. To ease the unemployed JSEC workers’ plight, the Management Engineering Association (MEA)—in collaboration with Ateneo Lex—established the JSEC Workers Fund Drive on April 30 with the goal to raise Php 100,000 in donations by the end of May. According to MEA Central Board Project Coordinator Mary Gabaton, the organizers of the fund drive planned to disburse the project’s collections among all of JSEC’s employees through online
banking transactions. Sarah shares that she received relief goods as part of this initiative. Besides handling MEA and Ateneo Lex’s fund drive, Gabaton ensures that there is constant communication between these organizations, JSEC Coordinator Alyson Yap, and the John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM) Sanggunian. In addition, stall owners and employees use Facebook Messenger to communicate in case urgent concerns regarding the latter’s needs or fundraising must be raised. Beyond providing for the workers’ basic needs, students sought to extend their help to the former’s families. For example, the Ateneo Employee Laptop Drive initiative aims to raise funds for the employees whose children need gadgets for online learning. Gail Viaje, who spearheaded the effort, explained that the ongoing pandemic has brought the workers unforeseen expenses that are beyond their normal budget. “The financial strain is a common narrative [among] the workers I’ve talked to,” says Viaje. RUNNING DRY While there appears to be no shortage of goodwill for both regularized and contractual workers, uncertainties with unemployment remain. Balgos explains that relief assistance can only address present and short term needs for an affected community. He says that donations merely “alleviate their suffering for a short while.” Assistant Dean of Student Formation Leland Dela Cruz elaborates that continued reliance on donations can lead to slower responses from possible contributors later on. “It’s very hard to get donations at this point even if there was a lot of energy early on...[people] are having difficulty securing donations,” he observes. This decline in donations can be attributed to donor
fatigue—a phenomenon that is not new to the crisis response landscape. A study by business and economic experts Richard P. C. Brown, Gareth Leeves, and Prabha Prayaga define this as the “declining rate of response to persistent calls for remittances from networks and organizations seeking funds for the wider community.” In Viaje’s case, she states that her donation drive sparked a lot of attention at the beginning. However she noticed that the fundraiser had seen a decline of interest since the initial response trend. Balgos further elaborates that people experience donor fatigue when they see that the assistance they provide to a certain community does not help improve their situation. He adds that donors tend to take their efforts somewhere else should the community’s conditions remain unchanged. “If you keep...donating but [without] changes or [without] progress, and you see that the individual or community [becoming] more dependent on you, it’s time to take your energy somewhere else,” he says. Dela Cruz believes this phenomenon may be normal due to the unprecedented duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. “People are now more worried about their own financial situation. Businesses are now worried about long term variability. Maybe also because the needs aren’t as identified anymore,” he said. LONG HAUL Despite this, Dela Cruz asserts that the University must continue to “help in whatever way [they] can with the ongoing pandemic.” Balgos echoes Dela Cruz’s sentiments, stating that the University’s assistance to vulnerable communities is limited not only by its available resources, but also its core principles. “I think yung limit nung assistance ay kung saan ang abot kaya ng principles [ng
institution] (I think the limit of an institution’s assistance is determined by their principles),” states Balgos. S i m i l a r l y , Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan urged the University administration to compensate non-regular workers, specifically citing the JSEC employees in a statement released in March. “If Ateneo wants to stay true to its virtues, then the workers deserve immediate relief at the minimum, but also must once and for all end the anti-labor practices of contractualization within its four walls.” Balgos also believes that policy changes can provide “a more comprehensive assistance,” citing the importance of job security for workers. He explains that in order to help vulnerable sectors fully recover in the long term, powerful institutions such as the government must establish effective programs. In order to create contextualized programs and policies to preserve workers’ interests, Balgos believes that the University can further study the effects of the shift to online learning on workers as well, not just students. “Paano maeensure yung safety and security ng students, ng staff, ng workers, as we shift to this kind of mode? (How do we ensure the safety and security of the students, the staff and the workers as we shift to this mode?)” Balgos points out. Donor fatigue in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis has proved to reveal the vulnerability of the labor force and the danger in relying on the merits of charity work amid uncharted economic hurdles. In a time when quarantine measures magnify growling stomachs and employment anxieties, feeding workers dewdrops and crumblets may only make them far less likely to survive. *Editor’s Note: Sarah’s name was changed upon her request to protect her identity and privacy.
There was a lot of energy in terms of donations early on. There seems to be a slow down in terms of response. It’s harder to get donations now from people. LELAND DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT DEAN FOR STUDENT FORMATION
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Amidst the shift to online classes, the University strives to provide students fair access to Atenean education. In spite of this effort, many students continue to struggle with the financial burdens of studying in the University.
Signal lost BY FRANCIS CAIGA AND VINCENT HALOG
IN COMPLIANCE with the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHEd) order to suspend on-site classes, Ateneo de Manila University decided to conduct online classes for the Intersession and First Semester periods of AY 20202021. Despite this shift, tuition and fees remain largely unchanged—prompting student groups to challenge the rationale behind such costs. This, along with other tuition fee concerns raised from other universities, has led CHEd to urge the institutions to justify their recurring fees. The Loyola Schools (LS) administration explained the adjustments in this year’s tuition and fees through the LS Primer, including the witholdment of a CHEd-approved tuition hike and the reduction of other fees. No less, at a time when every cent counts, the price of education in the Ateneo must be placed under closer scrutiny. RESOUNDING CALLS In an interview with The GUIDON, One Big Fight for Human Rights and Democracy (OBFHRD) convener Hen Namoca asserted that the LS administration must be transparent in clarifying the tuition fees for the academic year.“They have to give us the breakdown of the fees and tell us why students have to pay a
huge amount of money just to have online classes,” they say. Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan spokesperson John Lazaro shared similar sentiments, high-lighting the need to justify the unreduced cost of tuition per unit. “Firstly, we don’t even know where it’s going to, [...] where the standard asking fee for each course is going to. Is it going to pay the contractual faculty? How much of our faculty have been [...] paid? We don’t know,” Lazaro says. Meanwhile, National Union of Students of the Philippines Deputy Secretary General Jandeil Roperos adds that students already need to bear the expenses on internet access, gadgets, and electricity to attend online classes. According to her, the Ateneo should use its profits from the previous years to mitigate the cost required to acquire new online facilities. Otherwise, Roperos says, the University should at least reduce the cost of tuition per unit to make Ateneo education more accessible for the students left financially challenged by the pandemic. RECONDITIONED SYSTEM Amid students’ resounding calls for transparency from the LS administration, Vice President for the Loyola Schools Maria Luz C. Vilches, PhD guarantees that spending is determined by how they can best serve students. She explains that the Universi-
We are a private institution that doesn’t get subsidies from the government. So we are really trying to balance what we can from our own resources, to be able to help these students in need.” MARIA LUZ C. VILCHES, PhD VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE LOYOLA SCHOOLS
ty does not gain profit from the fees it collects, rather from “other investments.” Thus, the fees charged to students are completely spent for the term they enrolled for. These charges fund the LS’ efforts to ease difficulties in the shift to online learning, concurrent with the Board of Trustees’ (BoT) mandate to freeze the University’s capital expenditures. Vilches assures that the BoT and LS hold numerous negotiations before they decide on expenditures. One outcome of such discussions is the University’s decision to use Canvas as the learning management system (LMS)— subscription costs, as Vilches estimates, amounts to 500,000 USD. According to the Office of Management Information Systems (OMIS) Director James Gregorio, Canvas consolidates the community’s call for one single LMS and offers direct links to other paid resources such as the proofreading system Turnitin. Following the purchase of the Canvas subscription, faculty and staff from across the University including LS underwent training to navigate the new platform. According to Science and Art of Learning and Teaching (SALT) Institute Assistant Director Galvin Ngo, the training consisted of three components: Introduction to online education, technical training on Canvas, and consultative discussions with faculty members. The Canvas subscription also included guidance from the LMS personnel to aid the trainees in using the platform’s features. The expenditures for both training and the online platform are now assessed under the restructured Online Infrastructure Fee. Unlike the new expenses for online learning, the Library Fee remains unchanged despite the LS’ reduced use of the library’s physical resources. Rizal Library Director Vernon Totanes, PhD explains that even before the pandemic, 90% of the fees go to research databases such as JSTOR. “Right now we are using that 10% to pay for requests for additional electronic resources,” he says. However, academic databases are not the only resource being adapted to a fully online semester. Gregorio explains that the LS administration’s subscription to Google Meet—which grants unlimited use of the application—is now nearing its expiration. Vilch-
es says that after a series of consultations with the faculty, the LS administration is now in the process of procuring Zoom’s services in lieu of Google Meet. The management of these improved resources entails a need for more personnel, but the unchanged tuition fee restricts the LS from hiring more personnel for understaffed units such as OMIS. “[Prospective applicants] will not come to us because our salary is lower than what they get from the industry,” Vilches says. In order to increase the salaries of non-teaching personnel, tuition would also need to increase, as Republic Act No. 6728 mandates that 70% of the tuition goes to the salaries of University personnel. BALANCING THE SHEET In this time of economic recession, Vilches says that LS is already on a deficit in planning for next year’s budget, prompting the admin to closely monitor LS’ cash flow. Nonetheless, motivated by the number of incoming freshmen, Vilches anticipates a good enrollment record for the first semester. However, this record is simultaneously met with an increase in the number of students who submitted promissory notes, thus deferring their balance at a later date. This heavy wave of appeals for financial aid confirms Namoca’s remark that Ateneans are struggling to continue their education in the University. Amid the student body’s uncertainty regarding the urgency and legitimacy of tuition and fees,Vilches assures that they strive to aid as many students as possible. “We are a private institution that doesn’t get subsidies from the government. So we are really trying to balance what we can from our own resources, to be able to help these students in need,” she says. Given the University’s limited means to provide aid, not all financially struggling students can be supported, leaving some behind and constrained by their pockets. Nonetheless, this reveals that although transparency manifests in Vilches’ promise that the LS administration will prudently use its resources, a truly accessible Ateneo education has yet to become a reality. Justified tuition and fees still present daunting costs, most especially for families who bear the brunt of the pandemic’s economic effects.