Illustration and Page Design by: Jervie S. Aquino
THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHEd) PROPOSED ADDITIONAL ONE YEAR to existing courses in college that require licensure exams supervised by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). If approved, the said proposal will be rolled out in two phases with Phase I beginning school year 2009-2010. C H E d states that this program known as the “Philippine Main Education Highway” aims to reform the tertiary education system through the implementation of “10+2+3 formula” which equates to the usual 10-year basic education, the latest two-year preuniversity and three-year specialization programs. This means that after completing six years in elementary and four years in high school, students have the options to take either vocational courses or the two-year preuniversity program then proceed to their respective specializations. Meanwhile, “10+2+(3 or 4) scheme is designed for Engineering and Architecture since those are already five-year courses.
Article By: Joan M. Monderin and Julie ANN O. RA M OS
The other way around In response to the said proposal, Dr. Danilo Faustino, BulSU-VP for academic affairs, stated that although the proposal could
improve the quality of education and could equip the students with the necessary knowledge, skills and preparations, it would also spell an additional year of expenses for parents and students. On this account, he proposes to lengthen the basic education program instead. “Why not lengthen the basic education… [so that] they will be more equipped when they reach college,” the VP said. “[Sa kasalukuyang Education system] pinipilit pumunta sa college [ang mga estudyante kahit] mahina ang foundation ng English, Math, at Science kaya pagdating sa tertiary nahihirapan. Ngayon sasabihin na dagdagan natin yung taon. How can you [develop those students] when they have earned the weak foundation from basic education?” Faustino added. The VP for academic affairs also expressed concern regarding the Philippines’ seeming
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November 2008 - March 2009
COEd hosts Foundation Dela Cruz, Gonzales lead Week lecture forum in BulSU Arianz Lindsey Maglonzo Bulacan State University (BulSU) Graduate School celebrated the university’s 104th founding anniversary through a lecture forum with the theme “Bulacan and the First World Philippines” held last December 6, 2008 at the Valencia hall. Josefina Mendoza-Dela Cruz, former Bulacan governor and Secretary Norberto B. Gonzales, national security adviser, led the forum. Dela Cruz said that empowerment, love of country, putting God at the center and getting involved are the vital elements to change the Philippines into a first-world country. She added that change must start within us. Further, she said that there would be more jobs offered in Bulacan for the graduates of its universities and colleges. With this progress, she was happy to express that Bulacan graduates do not have to work in other places. As she ended her speech, she implied that Bulacan is for Bulakeños and Bulakeños are for Bulacan. “May mga pangangailangan ang isang lipunan bago maging first
SG ousts scholars Ruby Rose R. Cruz A month before this year ’s Student Government (SG) Elections, old set of SG scholars complained about being terminated from their scholarship without further notice. Bianca Michaela Espeleta, former SG president, denied that they terminated old set of SG scholars without further noticing them. In fact, she clarified last February 26, during the meeting de avance held in Heroes’ Park, that they had long asked Local Student Council (LSC) governors to search for old set of SG scholars so that they will be able to renew their scholarship in due time. “Hindi naman talaga kami nagtanggal ng mga scholars, hindi lang sila [old set of SG scholars] naka-comply sa renewal process [for scholarship]”, said Mark Anthony de Leon, former SG vice president, in support of Espeleta’s statement. Meanwhile, Norlisa Sombero, BS Psychology student and one among the old set of scholars explained that SG under Espeleta informed most of them about the possible termination of some scholars if they will not comply with their duties and responsibilities as SG scholars. When asked how the information reached her, she said, “Kay ate Bianca po namin nalaman [na magtatanggal ng scholars]. Kasi sabi nya po lahat ng hindi um-attend ng
world. Una, dapat ibalik natin ang pagmamahal sa bayan natin. Then, kailangan ng pagbabago ng isip”, Gonzales mentioned in support of Dela Cruz’ message. “Hindi tayo magiging first world country kung hindi tayo nagaambisyong maging number one”, he added. He also pointed out that everyone must always put God in everything and thank Him for every success as he challenged the spectators when he said, “Gumaganda ang buhay mo, nakakalimutan mo naman ang Diyos.”
WITH DR. LUZVIMINDA TANTOCO AS THE OVERALL CHAIR, AND ASSOCIATE DEAN MARLENE CASTILLO AND PRINCIPAL ANGEL CAPARAS OF BULSU-LHS AS CO-CHAIRS, THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (COEd) hosted Bulacan State University’s 104 th Founding Anniversary last December 16. This was the second time for the college to host Foundation Week since the reign of Dr. Danilo Faustino as the dean of the college. “Naging very successful yung pagho-host ng Educ, dahil naramdaman talaga ng mga estudyante yung celebration, at yung mga activities ng COEd malaki yung naitulong sa students’ awareness kung ano na ba ang nagawa
Bulacan honors Rio Alma Ma. Elena Umali
Prior to the celebration of Singkaban Fiesta during the Bulacan Week, the Bulacan Provincial Government held “Dakilang Bulakenyo Series XXII” last September 8 at the Gat Blas Ople Building to honor Virgilio S. Almario (also known as Rio Alma) for being a national artist In recognition of Almario’s contributions in literature, a week-long memorabilia exhibit of his works and theater performance of his life story were showcased. The exhibit included some of his books, literary pieces, awards, pictures, one of his Barong Tagalogs, his old typewriter, and pieces of advice in writing poems.
Dean. National Artist. Bulakenyo. Virgilio Almario, during his younger days, as he smiles for the camera in this picture included in the exhibit at the Gat Blas F. Ople Auditorium in September 2008.
COEd to Continue Certificate Program for Non-Specialist Teachers in Filipino Edmundo V. Julao Jr. and MAPEH After the 2008 Foundation Week held last December 1-6 hosted by the College of Education (COEd), the project “Certificate Program for NonSpecialist Teachers of MAPEH and Filipino” will continue for the summer vacation. It will start in the middle week of April to May 2009 at Bulacan State University with the College of Education as the training center. Two hundred twenty secondary teachers from different parts of the region are expected to participate in the program.
meeting, aalisan na agad ng scholarship. Saka nagbigay ng notice si ate Bianca na pag di um-attend, automatic na matatanggal na. Iisipin nila na hindi na sila interested na maging scholars ulit.” After weeks of waiting for old SG scholars to show up and comply with the requirements of renewal of application for scholarship, SG decided to recruit new set of SG scholars.
The program aims at helping the said teachers earn 24 units in Filipino and the three component subjects of Makabayan such as Social Studies, Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) and Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) to improve the teaching skills and capabilities of teachers who are nonspecialist of the four learning areas through the experiences and knowledgebased contents of the program. Dean Tantoco said that it is the continuation of the summer certificate program last April and May 2008. Each participant in the Summer Certificate program in 2008 was entitled to a stipend of Php 12,000.00, a book allowance of Php 2,500.00 and a training fee of Php 8,000.00. Teachers who participated were given the certificate that allows them to teach particular content areas in Filipino and MAPEH. Tantoco also said that the continuation of the project is expected to be as successful as the first one.
Julie Ann O. Ramos
ng BulSU, its history and the likes,” said Rowell Castro, president of the Local Student Council of COEd. Pamantasaysayan : ang Pamantasan sa Sandaan at Apat na Taon, PTA Bingo Social, Wreath Laying Ceremony for the 109 th death anniversary of Gregorio Del Pilar and Tirad Pass Troop, COEd Family in Concert and Laro ng Lahi were the events sponsored by the college and its organizations like Kapisanan ng mga Mag-aaral sa Araling Panlipunan (KAPIMAPA) and COEd PTA. Tantoco mentioned in an interview how the Admin congratulated the college for the successful hosting. “Talagang naramdaman nila. Nung sa mga activities, walang nabakanteng oras, at yung Gym ay laging puno,” she added. “Talagang number one na problema yung pera. Ang hirap magrequest ng material at ang process ay napakabagal, pero naibigay rin naman kaya lang medyo matagal,” Tantoco said when asked about the problems they encountered during the preparation.
APO runs for Nature Edmundo V. Julao Jr. The much-awaited Oblation run of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Bulacan Chapter happened again for the third time with the theme “Run for Nature” last December 4 at the Bulacan State University. APO members started running nude from the second gate of the university towards the APO tree located at the Federizo Hall. On the run, some of the naked APO members held white roses and gave them to the ladies of their choice. An APO member said the significance of the flower, “Kaya white rose kasi kung baga una kang pumasok dito sa BulSU na taong hubad… Walang kaalam-alam, malinis, walang malisya. Kaya white rose kasi pure,” an APO member said. “Ang purpose ng aming Oblation run ay para ipakita na aware din kami sa nangyayari sa ating environment dahil sa global warming na sumisira nito”, an APO Alumni member said in an interview. “Gusto rin namin na maging aware ang mga estudyante at gumawa ng aksyon para dito dahil sa panahon ngayon, ang mga kabataan ay nawawalan na ng malasakit sa ating environment”, he added. Last December 12, the APO U.P. Diliman Chapter held their Oblation run for the same reason and purpose and last December 15, they ran again against Charter Change.
November 2008 - March 2009
AMIDST THE FUN BROUGHT BY THE CELEBRATION of the 104th Founding Anniversary of the university, still, BulSU Scholarship Society managed to commemorate Benefactors’ Day last December 4, 2008 at the Valencia Hall. The event paid tribute to the people who supported the scholars of the university. The attendance of Ms. Lani Mercado, wife of the supposed guest speaker Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., highlighted the event when she expressed her gratitude by reading the message of her husband. “Habang patuloy na nakabukas ang mga unibersidad para sa tao, tulad ng BulSU, ‘di dapat tayo mawalan ng pag-asa,” she said in her speech as she laid down the issues concerning the situation of the educational system in our country. Prior to that, she also mentioned additional programs intended for the striving but deserving students in the country such as the KAP Educational Assistance Program. “Wala kayong utang sa akin, pagtanaw ng utang na loob sa bayan ang ginagawa ko,” she added. After which, Dr. Margarita Dorothy C. Reyes, director of BulSU Student Scholarships, gladly announced the increasing number of students granted with scholarship. According to her, last school year’s 1,996 scholars is now 2,400. Then, all the benefactors from both public and private sectors were given plaques of recognition by Dr. Mariano De Jesus assisted by Dr. Danilo Faustino, Dr. Antonio Del Rosario and Dr. Margarita Dorothy Reyes.
CHEd proposes... from page 1 obsession to continuously prolong its tertiary education programs when, other countries implement more years in basic education curriculum and courses in the higher education are shortened. The same old story Meanwhile, COEd Dean Luzviminda Tantoco implies that this is the same old story when she said “Naku, lumang tugtugin na yan.” The old story she was referring to was the five-year Education course implemented two years ago. “Ang ating curriculum na ginagamit ngayon sa Teacher Education ay yung new curriculum na talagang five years, kaya lang hindi nararamdaman na five years dahil may summer na kasama,” Tantoco said. Essentially, Teacher Education and Nursing courses now take five years since students are attending summer classes to accommodate additional subjects or units. In the College of Education, for instance, the 36 units of major subjects in the old curriculum became 60 with almost half of the number of units added in the new curriculum. When asked if she favors the proposal to implement additional year(s) in other courses, Tantoco said, “Hindi naman tayo hindi pwedeng pumayag kasi yung ating curriculum ay talagang sinusunod natin galing CHEd.”
Julie Ann O. Ramos
PGMA visits Bulacan Medical Center Behind every man’s success is a woman. Ms. Lani Mercado stands tall as she delivers the speech of her husband and supposed guest speaker, Sen. Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jr. during the founding anniversary of the university. (Photo by Chester Allan Salazar)
Scholars observe Benefactors’ Day
Bulacan honors farmers, fishermen with “Bahay Kubo, Bahay Gulay” AS PART OF THE CELEBRATION OF SINGKABAN (SINING AT KALINANGAN NG BULACAN) FESTIVAL, the Bulacan Provincial Government held “Bahay Kubo, Bahay Gulay” with the theme “Pista sa Nayon: Handog sa mga Magsasaka at Mangingisda” at the HBCC Pavilion, Capitol Compound last September 10. The Carabao Festival and Obando Fertility Dance Parade highlighted the event later that day. Bulacan Governor Joselito Mendoza formally opened the occasion with a message of thanksgiving to the farmers and fisherfolks who contribute a great amount of effort for the realization of the province’s goal- to give every Bulakeño family adequate food on their plates. The celebration aimed at giving honor to farmers, vegetable producers
More is yet to come Although CHEd Chair Emmanuel Angeles said that the proposal is still in the process of deliberation and wide-ranging consultation among the major stakeholders of the country’s education system, Phase II of the program is set to start in school year 2010-2011 which will require all four-year board and non-board courses to follow the “10+2+3” system. Students’ response Meanwhile, students who will greatly be affected by this proposal speak of different opinions and convictions. Mark Anthony de Leon, former vice president of BulSU-SSC, said that looking at the issue is just a matter of perspective. “Di’ba kung gusto mo talagang matuto, kung ‘yun ‘yung perspective [sic] mo, ‘yung aim mo sa buhay is matuto [sic] ok lang ‘yun kasi willingness [sic] s’ya [sic] sa’yo,” de Leon commented.
and fishermen in the province by showcasing their fruits of labor. The event displayed different towns and municipalities in Bulacan with their nipa huts filled with different vegetable products. Every bahay kubo which serves as booth has its distinction from each other. The team from Plaridel even had its accompanying music to get the people’s attention. Carabaos with their karitelas and fertility dancers lined up and occupied the compound with Drew Arellano at the near end of the motorcade as he covered the said festivity for Unang Hirit, a local morning tv program aired at GMA channel 7. After the parade, devotees led the procession of the image of the Sta. Clara, the main attraction of the Obando Fertility Dance. Mar Florence C. Sebastian However, Bianca Micaela Espeleta, former SSC president, rebuffs de Leon’s comment. She asserted that this additional year would only mean additional burden to the students and parents. “It would be better kung hindi na magdagdag ng additional year sa college level. As we all know, majority of the students cannot afford na mag-study ng matagal because of financial [restraints],” Espeleta said. In support, Jennifer Fabian, former SSC senator, affirmed that although the purpose is highly appreciated, the means deviates the students’ cry for “accessible education for all”. “Hindi gano’n kayaman lahat ng mamamayan sa Pilipinas at nakaka-afford ng gano’n. ‘Yung iba, high school lang [ay di na matapos]. What if college pa? Tapos dadagdagan pa ng one year…siguro maaabot ang high quality education pero kokonti [ang graduates]…[mawawala] ‘yung isa sa mga ipinaglalaban ng mga estudyante – ‘yung education for all,” Fabian said.
Edmundo V. Julao Jr.
President Gloria MacapagalArroyo (PGMA) with Secretary Francisco Duque III of the Department of Health (DOH) visited Bulacan Medical Center (BMC) for the project briefing of health facilities inspections and for the turn over of the 8 million peso-worth of medical equipment last March 4. Bulacan Governor Joselito Mendoza and BMC President Dr. Hjordis Marushka Celis received the said equipment. According to Gov. Mendoza, a total of 22 million peso-budget approved by PGMA was allotted for health programs and improvement of medical infrastructures and equipment within Bulacan thus different health organizations and medical facilities can expect tremendous help from the Bulacan Provincial Government. This follows that Bulakeños are now expecting more accessible and better medical services from BMC. “Ang Bulacan na ang pinakamayamang probinsya sa lahat ng probinsya sa buong Pilipinas.” Mendoza proudly said when he formally accepted the new medical equipment.
Leadership Seminar, conducted for Student Organizations Julie Ann O. Ramos
In accordance with the theme, “Upholding Students’ Unity through Group Diversity”, the Student Government (SG) initiated a leadership seminar, with the aim of developing the youth to become active and responsible leaders and to prepare them for employment process in the future. Members of almost 80 student organizations who attended last July 30, 2008, during the celebration of the Student Organization’s day listened intently to the guest speaker. Elizabeth Alonzo, Director of PYSEACO (Provincial Youth, Sports, Employment, Arts, and Cultures Office) lectured about effective organization management. She also discussed about the role of PYSEACO in the youth formation within the province and the different development programs they have for the students. “The objective of this seminar is to orient the students with the different strategies and development initiatives of the Provincial Government of Bulacan for the Youth Sector”, Alonzo said.
November 2008 - March 2009
indi karagdagang taon ang magsasalba sa bukbukin nang kalidad ng edukasyon sa Pilipinas; higit pa sa paghahain ng lima o anim na taong mga kurso sa kolehiyo ang remedyo sa malamlam ng kalagayan ng edukasyong inilalako sa bansa. Sa pagbubukas ng taong 2009, binulaga ng Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) ang sektor ng edukasyon sa panukala nitong gawing limang taon na ang dating mga kursong apat na taon lamang sa kolehiyo. Pinakamatunog sa lahat ang pagpapahaba sa mga kursong Nursing at Education. Bahagi ito ng proyektong Philippine Main Education Highway na panukala ni CHEd Chair Emmanuel Angeles, kung saan lahat ng mga kursong dumaraan sa licensure exams ay dapat nang kuhanin ng limang taon alinsunod sa “10+2+3” formula. Ibig sabihin, 10 taong bubunuin ng mga estudyante ang basic education (elementarya at sekondarya), dalawang taon naman para sa pre-university program at tatlong taon para sa specialization. Pangako umano ng panukalang ito ang mas mainam na kalidad ng edukasyon at mas mahuhusay na produkto ng mga pamantasan. Kabilang na rin ang layunin ng pamahalaang makipagsabayan sa iba pang mga bansa sa larangan ng medisina, edukasyon, komersyo at teknolohiya. Sa ganitong paraan, hindi na umano mapag-iiwanan pa ang Pilipinas sa malawakang globalisasyong umiiral sa kasalukuyan. Hindi na bago ang usaping ito sa Kolehiyo ng Edukasyon (KOEd). Matatandaang noong 2005, nagkaroon ng pagbabago sa curriculum ng KOEd. Nagdagdag ng mga asignatura na naging katumbas ng ilang summer classes. Samantalang marami ang nalito sa pabagu-bagong curriculum, mas marami ang dumaing sa dagdag gastos na dulot ng mas maraming subjects o units na dapat ienroll gayong karamihan naman dito ay overlapping sa saklaw; idagdag pa rito ang taunang 10 percent tuition and other fees increase (TOFI). Subalit tulad ng dati, wala pa ring boses ang mga estudyante sa usaping tulad nito. Hindi lingid na may kakulangan ang sistema ng edukasyon sa bansa. Subalit lihis ang panukala ng CHEd upang tugunan ito. Hangad ng mga estudyante ang mas makabuluhang hakbang o panukala upang mapaunlad ang lagay ng edukasyon sa bansa. Halimbawa na lamang nito ay ang mas mataas na badyet para sa sektor ng edukasyon. Sa ganitong paraan, masosolusyunan na ang dekadang taon ng problema sa kakulangan ng mga libro, silid-aralan at iba pang mga pasilidad sa mga pamantasan. Kabilang na rin dito ang pagsasagawa ng mas komprehensibong mga programa upang iangat ang estado ng mga guro tulad ng pre- at in-service trainings at mas mataas na pasahod. Simple lang ang iginigiit ng mga estudyante. Hindi garantiya ang mas mahabang taon sa eskwelahan upang maging mas mahuhusay na mga gradweyt balang araw. Ngayon, hindi na lamang KOEd ang maaaring magpasan ng higit na matagal, mabagal at magastos na edukasyon sa bansa. Ang usaping ito ay laban na ng masang estudyante sa BulSU at sa buong bansa. Bagamat tahimik na sumasangayon na lamang ang karamihan sa mga panukala at polisiya ng unibersidad at ng sangay ng pamahalaan, sa puntong ito, hindi na sapat ang pasibong reaksyon mula sa mga estudyante. Sa bawat panukalang tulad nito, hinahamon tayong tumayo, makialam at manindigan para sa ating kinabukasan. Hinihimok tayong maging kritikal, magisip, masinsinang pag-aralan ang naturang panukala at magsalita kung kinakailangan. Hindi karagdagang taon ang magsasalba sa bukbukin nang kalidad ng edukasyon sa Pilipinas, kundi sapat na mga libro, kumpleto at maayos na mga klasrum at iba pang pasilidad sa mga eskwelahan, mas mahuhusay na mga guro, programang akma sa pangangailangan sa merkado, at abot-kayang edukayon para sa lahat. Sa huli, dapat maintindihan ng gobyerno na hindi haba kundi kalidad ang dapat isaalang-alang.
The Mentors’ Journal Official Student Publication of the College of Education-BulSU
EDITORIAL STAFF 2008 - 2009 Editor-in-Chief Joan M. Monderin Associate Editor Mar Florence C. Sebastian Managing Editor for Administration Ruby Rose R. Cruz Managing Editor for Finance Elaiza R. Banasig News Editor Arianz Lindsey D. Maglonzo Graphics Editor Jervie S. Aquino
Staff Writers John Kelvin R. Briones Maria Resa Helena Goyal Edmundo V. Julao Jr. Julie Ann O. Ramos Kevin Rubio
Graphic Artist Ma. Elena C. Umali Photographers Chester Allan C. Salazar Charles Bryan B. Acosta
Adviser Dr. Avelina M. Aquino
Ma. Elena C. Umali
No to Quantity Education
Food of the Gods John Kelvin R. Briones
Iron(y) Mask and Writer’s Block Partying like a rockstar, dancing and bumping, shaking my tail-feathers, screaming my lungs out in the midst of the I-don’t-know-smoke and trance music like no tomorrow, wearing colorful mask in masquerade bashes - these are the things I really love to do— NOT! Really, what catches my time is (like a normal (?) geek) reading books of great sagacity (I’m speaking for myself, of course), talking to peers and people who have something new to share (that fits my interests and touches my idea of what makes sense), playing my own music, and perceptibly, writing (here you have your chance to slap me on the face on what’s sensible or not). I suppose by the time you read the last line you know it yourself- uhuh, it all has something to do with self-expression. And the technical term is “pagpapapansin”. Again, the party stuff and the whatnot: I really don’t like them. And that’s a personal view. I’d rather pack my bags and set on a fieldtrip, put up a bonfire somewhere, and cook hotdogs that engage with that kind of mingling. But then again, there’s nothing wrong with it, I mean, on that kind of occasion people are expected to act at their finest, wear their best attires that fit the theme of the event (which doesn’t normally happen in real life picture), and eat with all the manners (really now?) they learned from GMRC back in elementary and high school, which are good points, if they really do go off. But last month was totally out of my control. It was announced that the Caper’s Night which is the promenade for Education college students - is on its way to us juniors for the first time. Many were excited, of course, because it’s not as frequent as we design lesson plans. But, I was not one of them, though. Could there be more demanding and laborious than the pre-Caper’s? READ: You have to look for an outfit that you can rent - or buy if you have the cheese - to wear on the occasion. And what does Caper mean, anyway? Did someone even bother to look at the dictionary and find out the meaning of the word? Could it be the one that means ‘a capricious escapade’? I don’t know. Even our respected Dean gives not a concrete reason why we have to celebrate it. She mentioned that since she had enrolled in the university in 1971, it has been a custom that the Caper’s Night is celebrated annually like some sort of a ritual or rite of passage, and must be taken as an “obligation”. And did I mention yet, it is obligatory to pay 700 hundred pesos whether you are going to attend or not, whether you like it or don’t. I don’t usually do the Math, but it’s a whopping 10 percent of my tuition! There’s the slur. How could you not be tempted - or agitated - to attend if you’re required to pay such amount? Come on! Make the most out of your 700 bucks. With fairness to the organizers, they gave the attendees ample time to save money for the event - a month or so. Score for them. And since they were only commanded to do their job, the blame is not on them. No one takes the blame ‘cause more often than not, there are no criminals, only crimes. And this leads
me to re-think about the situation of our college publication as regards money matters. If the College Caper is an activity from which the students and the teachers benefit, is not campus press of the same worth? Why does our publication, which even the respective Dean admittedly professes worthy as chronicler and watchdog of the College of Education, not receive the same respect it deserves? This predicament of the college publications started a couple of years ago with a moratorium that states that all the organizations, take note, organizations, are no longer allowed to collect exorbitant fees. This makes this moratorium both a friend and a foe. But, here’s a point we’ve long been missing: a publication is essentially different from an organization. Surprisingly, we reached level III accreditation with a pain in the rear - we don’t really have an ‘existing’ publication. With this I mean a publication that is able to produce a newspaper regularly minus all the hassles it shouldn’t face. One of the requirements for accreditation is such. Talk about irony and anomaly. Now what’s the after-effect of this? College writers no longer produce prints. And the after-after-effect? No more college publications. No more chronicles about the local news in the college. Freedom of expression is diminished. No more training ground for future publication advisers. And it all started with moratorium that goes a little something like that of a modern fairy tale antagonist. And every time someone or some people try to reconcile the problem, it is as though the universe sends signs to them that the solution lies in the hands of those who are in the mysterious Board of Regents, which seems to answer with the line: it’s a local issue. And what does it suppose to mean to us? It means it is of a minor priority. That’s why they include it on the list of OM’s- or the other matters, or in English, not-so-important-stuff, believing it can be set onbut not really, because the mess requires only the Board’s attention, no more, no less. And this irony and massive literal Writers’ block put me to thinking: why does the Administration allow such activity to take place knowing that the students are obliged to pay 14 times the amount of long-forgotten 25-peso college publication fee? Are college publications considered threat to the comfortableness and seemingly apathy of some of the School Administrators? We don’t know. However, suppositions and presumptions are allowed in this part of the show.
November 2008 - March 2009
Teacher Talk Even teachers have their own stories to tell. This space is open to all who wish to express thoughts, feelings and views about issues may they be related or not to their respective profession.
On Becoming a Teacher
I started teaching when I was 20 and that made me the youngest faculty of a private high school in Hagonoy. I moved to Bulacan State University in 2008 and again I became the youngest person in the Department of English. As the youngest, I always find myself at the mercy of my elders’ advice. During my first few days as a high school teacher, some of my colleagues handed down to me some of their time-honored precepts of what would make a supposedly good teacher; I thanked them and like what I always do with my cherished possessions, I just keep them, but I tried to look for my own code to observe. It is true that the moment we start to teach, there we will learn more. From the universe of realizations I have gathered in the profession, the following weigh the heaviest. These are what make me a teacher: 1. I learned that to be a good teacher, I must formulate my own philosophy. I never stopped until I find answers to the questions: What is education? How do I want to be remembered as a teacher? How should I treat the learners? I remind myself every day to be faithful to my philosophy as I continue to practice my profession. For I understand: to have a philosophy without practice is insufficient, and to teach without philosophy is aimless. Teaching without any philosophical foundation is like playing chess in the dark. 2. I understand that I must establish my own style. All subjects seem to be the same, until teachers make the difference for each subject the way they teach it. This truth dawns upon me: that there is no such thing as boring subject, only boring teachers. So, I pick the good styles of my former teachers, and make my own out of those. 3. I find the secret: to earn my students’ respect, I must know my subject by heart. While it is true that the era when teachers were considered as the sage in the class is a passé, teachers must still have the mastery of their subject. Students nowadays search for people to look up to and for reason they need to take their studies seriously. I want to be that person and that reason for my students that is why I take my teaching seriously.
4. I know it is hard, but I try my best to love my students. Classroom is a melting point of different beliefs, traditions, upbringings, preferences, biases, characters, etc. I would admit that there are times that my patience fails me, but I would regret it afterwards for I know I owe my students understanding and love. To love your students begins with accepting their peculiarities, followed by listening to them, and completed by giving them your trust. 5. Daily dose of reminder: love your job. Blessed are those who love their work, for they will not labor. I know that there are many things that make teaching uninviting for many bright students. Teachers are overworked, yet underpaid, interminable studying, unending paper works, everyday classroom pressures, sometimes ruined love and social life. So, the usual advice I give my students is this: “If you are bright, take engineering, law or medicine; money is there. Yet, if you are brighter, you rather be a teacher, for a teacher makes engineers, lawyers and doctors. Teaching is the noblest, if not the greatest of all the professions. 6. I make it a promise to grow professionally. After two years of working, I felt the need to go back to school. I entered the graduate school and became a student again. Sometimes, we need to attend school not to learn, but to have a passion to learn. That is what graduate school should be—a place to know more on what we think we already know and not only a place that a teacher would have loved to avoid if not for promotion. To study is not only to perpetuate but to challenge the established beliefs and practices. 7. I believe that I can only continue with my work if I know how to stop occasionally. I am not promoting any religious practice or yoga exercise here, but I maintain that a teacher should occasionally be alone with herself. Oftentimes, we are carried away by our work that we tend to forget the reasons why we do them. It is a painful truth that we try to justify
Heads’ set The unfinished business was coming to a close. The gates opened two hours ago. It was not easy to hold myself at McDonald’s and locate my cousin amidst the swift rush of people I share the same passion with. It was way harder to fight against my desire to leave her instead and go inside the venue by myself—but she had my ticket, the only thing that kept me from breaking the gates of the event of the year. Due to certain lethargy and some financial constraint, I missed their first reunion concert so I gave no chance of missing this for the second time. I was starting to enjoy the pictures of what could happen inside when I finally saw my cousin. Exchange of ideas of the expected was made while we rushed to stuff ourselves with food. Coming from nowhere, people with their fancy shirts that displayed pictures of the event started to increase in volume. After thirty agonizing minutes, finally, the last pieces of fries were taken. Without second thought, we hurried to get in to the queue. While waiting for my turn, I began to remember things that happened the day before this concert. Everybody was shocked about the unexpected death of Francis M., one major name in the Philippine music industry. All I know was that he was diagnosed with leukemia and all of a sudden, the music industry suffered a great loss. It was quite hard for me to accept that Ely’s friend had to leave that way and couldn’t even make it to the concert. He was supposed to be a surprise guest. I could perfectly picture him singing Super Proxy with Ely. I guess sometimes, we just have to let things go and surrender them to the One who knows better. I was pondering this while surrendering my ticket to the personnel.
What else could welcome us inside but the many different faces of people gathered by the band who sang the songs of our lives. Getting in front of the 300-peso area was a bit hard because I had to endure various smells from different people, but nothing could stop me from rocking with the official mouthpiece of the Filipino everyman. All around the place were wide screens. Interviews and documentaries about the band before they disbanded came flashing before the eyes of a hundred thousand fans. As expected, everything pleased me including the countdown from Z to E that made the crowd chant in chorus. It was total excitement when I finally saw them. Indescribable. Their music was truly unprecedented. Singing the first song and total hit Magasin was my Ely, Buddy, Marcus and Raimund—yes, together. Everybody was nostalgic and euphoric to witness the four, back on stage once again perhaps for the last time. The crowd was just incredible that Ely even commented “Ang bait nyo.” In an instant, nothing else mattered anymore. Their music was simply magical to wake up all the spirits as if hypnotizing the crowd to sing with them and applaud every song in the list. Three sets. 26 hit songs. Yet there could never be enough. Pare Ko, Alapaap, Minsan, Overdrive, Spoliarium and Julie Tearjerky—they’re just not enough to cover years of missing the band, waiting for this reunion and dying to hear them again as one.
Marlon B. Santos
our existence by our assignments, titles and jobs that we are prone to the danger of missing the point— our meaning, our essence, our identity. Evaluation applies not only in lesson planning but also in our lives as educators. 8. I convince myself regularly that my world never stops spinning in school. I could be a good teacher while I am a good friend, brother, son, or lover. I never make a less of a teacher if I attend to my other responsibilities outside the walls of the academe. Doing that will make me a well-rounded person; doing the otherwise is the smoothest way to asylum. 9. I realize that to be a teacher is to hold a unique power. With the attention, words, actions, advice and grades I give my students, I could either create or destroy them. Too risky is to be a teacher; when a medical doctor errs in his diagnosis and operation, she misses to save a life. When a teacher errs seriously in her practice, generations after generations will still feel the intensity of it. Truly, the influence of a teacher knows no when. 10. The truth is this: to be a good teacher is a daily decision. Every time I step into the premise of the University and scent the familiar air of another morning, I pray that I may become a good teacher that day. I never fail to keep in mind that the best teacher is never born yet. We need to be born twice: the time our mother gave birth to us and every moment we free ourselves from our self-imposed limitations and take upon ourselves the challenge of becoming the best of what we can be. Enjoy teaching fellows. ○
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MARLON BAUTISTA SANTOS is a former Managing Editor of The Mentors’ Journal. At present, he is a graduate student of Philippine Normal University where he is taking Master of Arts in Teaching English Language Arts. He is also a member of the Department of English of the Bulacan State University-College of Arts and Letters.
The And Julie Ann O. Ramos Time passed so quickly that I didn’t realize fireworks were already painting the sky and Ely, turning atypical, ended the last set with the all-time favorite Ang Huling El Bimbo. It all happened in just four hours—time stood as the silent witness on how the band proved that they captured the essence of our time with their music. I hated to admit that the show was over when they finally thanked and bid the crowd goodnight. But I felt needed to do some more. I wanted to make the most out of it. It couldn’t just end like that. We took pictures for a while. And when we were about to leave, some started yelling. Next thing I knew, Buddy was on stage, again, as if he, too, had to do something to make the most out of this event. I was at the top of my voice when I helped the crowd call on the other three. They didn’t disappoint us. At once, the four were back. Ely announced another three on the road. I couldn’t ask for more when they started singing Ligaya, Sembreak and Toyang at their best. Knowing that this would really be the last, everybody cried for a group hug. Everybody was just dying to see one. But they didn’t relent to the crowd’s request. Maybe, I was right all along thinking that it was asking too much from the band, or they couldn’t give in with the demand because this might not really be the last. “It never ends, it never ends” as Trip to Jerusalem would say. After all, maybe they really don’t do group hugs. They just make great music.
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Bakla- BAbae Kaso LAlake. Ito ang taguri sa akin and to quote si one great love, sa mga “people like us.” Kami raw yung mga woman trapped in a man’s body sabi sa mga intro ng mga gay beauty pageants. Hindi ako sure dun, what I am sure of eh kami yung mga nilulublob sa drum ng tubig, hinahambalos ng
Sa konting lingap, nabigla rin ako. Madami pala kong hindi alam.
Nag-research ako ng bonggang bongga. Charing lang ulit. Friendly ako sabi ng iba pero ang totoo’y palabati lang. Pinilit kong makakilala ng mga kagaya ko. Kagaya ko ng kaunti. Kagaya kong opposite at kagaya kong hindi ko talaga kagaya. Educ ako kaya katangian ko nang mag-observe. Pinintasan ko lahat ng dumaan sa tambayan ko. Binigyan ng mga palihim na rating mula one to ten, madalas pa nga ay negative, ang mga nakasalubong sa daan at nakasakay sa jeep. Kinutya mula sa Chuck Taylor na may weird color hanggang sa Raymond-Gutierrez-scarf sa gitna ng nag-aalimpuyong init ng panahon hanggang sa sakop-ang-mukhang-shades na suot ng mga mujer-mujeran. Sinukat ang circumference ng mga super tight jeans in all fruit shades. Kinilo pati ang gel sa buhok at ang pwedeng-kayurinng-kutsarang-foundation para patunayan kay one great love na alam ko na ito. At kahit waste of time lang, re-reviewhin ko ang lahat ng nalalaman ko para pag bumalik siya ay sisiguraduhin kong masusupalpal siya sa mga baon ko. Hindi ko alam na marami pala akong pambala kahit hindi na ako mag-effort.
Puyos ang sumakop sa maraming panahon dahil sa sinabi niyang tinanggap ko bilang pangungutya. Tama, hindi madalas, ang totoo’y napakadalang ko talagang lumuwas ng Maynila. Miminsan lang din ako nagkakaroon ng lakas ng loob na makipagkilala ng kusa. Sa umpisa’y excited akong makipag-textmate, pero wala ako laging load kaya nauupos din ang excitement na iyon at binubura ko rin ang number ng mga potential boylet. Pero sa kabila ng lahat, walang karapatan si one great love na i-imply na wala akong alam sa kingdom classification sa sarili kong kingdom dahil wala ako ng exposure na hinahanap niya. Nireject na nga niya ako, binaboy pa niya ang aking pagkatao. Echos lang.
Inubos ko ang panahon ko sa pagpifriendster. Isa lang ang account ko, hindi gaya ni one great love na apat yata. May friendster ang section Masigasig, ang section ko noong fourth year high school kaya ininvite nila ako. Kapag nagche-check ako’y ina-approve ko na kaagad lahat ng kaklase at kaibigan at hindi ko na vini-view dahil nga kakilala ko naman. Isang babae, malaki ang boobs, morena, mahaba ang buhok at sa standard ng mga lalaking hayok eh epitome talaga ng kaseksihan. ‘Yun ang nasa picture. Marami siyang comment sa’kin kaya out of curiosity and insecurity eh viniew ko ang account nya. Alexis ang name. Alexander Salamat ang totoong pangalan. Ang bestfriend ko nung high
Nagkajowa ako. Syempre, kailangan i-redeem ang sarili pagkatapos akong ganuunin ni one great love. Gwapo, as in ( sa bagay, gwapo naman lahat ng naging jowa ko). Siya si B1. Ha-ha! Matipuno, intellectually endowed, at ipinagpalit ako sa Bituing Walang Ningning at Lobo. Ha-ha! Bitter? Ha-ha! Siya yung lalaking lalaking tingnan. May mapupulang labi, barberong gupit, at intellect na nakachallenge sa’kin. Siya rin yung magugulat kang bakla pala. Although hindi tinatanggi, kundi siya kikilos at magsasalita ay hindi malalamang bakla. Yung mapapasabi ka ng “sana hindi na lang siya gumalaw” para hindi makita ang kontroladong pilantik ng mga daliri, pigil at malambot na padyak, at maingat at may kambyong pag-ikot ng ulo tuwing lilingon. Siya ang bading- BAklang may DatING. At kahit maraming hindi um-agree, dito yata ako kabilang. Haha! Feeling ko ay incest, kaya nakipaghiwalay ako. Haha! Eching lang. Gusto kong sisihin si one great love, pero maraming maliliit na bagay ang dahilan.
bakal ng sinturon, ibinibitin ng patiwarik at nagsusurvive sa kabila ng lahat ng iyon at nakapagrereproduce pa without sexual intercourse tulad ng sinasabi ng mga korning nagtatanong kung bakit kami dumadami. Aware na ako sa bansag na ito dati pa, akala ko.
ung ipinagtapat ko kay one great love na s’ya ang aking one great love, busted ako. Nagalit ako at pinapili siya: ako at ang mahabang kasaysayan naming dalawa o ang haliparot na wala pa ngang isang linggo niyang kilalang lamang lang naman sa akin ng konti sa height at ‘di hamak na mas matalino ako’t mas nakaaalam ng sikot niya. Bitter. Bullfrog na haliparot. Hindi niya ako pinili, at iniwan niya sa akin ang makapagbagbag damdaming “marami kang hindi alam sa mga kagaya ko.” “Shoot!” I said. “Of all people, ako pa ang hindi makakakilala sa mga kagaya ko?” sabi ko ulit. I was furious. Wala naman akong ibang pwedeng maramdaman kundi iyon, hindi ako manhid. Pero hindi ako pumayag at nagpatalo sa sinabi niya.
Angelo Vincent Tuazon Del Rosario Si B2, durog, sa tingin ko. Si one great love kalahating durog, kumpara ko naman. Just weeks after, in fact, days after the breakup, I saw his true color. It was hurting to the eyes. It was blinding black. Definitely, it wasn’t grey. It wasn’t just ordinary black, it was blinding black. ‘Yung nagtatago sa kadiliman. ‘Yung nagtatago sa
Itsinika ko rin lahat ng nangyari sa aking new found friend na si Rowell. Sinamahan n’ya akong pagtawanan sina B1 at B2. Haha! Si ‘Te, o si Rowell, hindi maitatangging from head to foot, humahalimuyak ang masarap sa ilong na kalansahan. Hindi naman s’ya cross-dresser, pero hindi na iyon kailangan para masabing kabilang s’ya. Siya yung typical. Masayahin, makendeng, pilit ang English, maingay kagaya ko. Minsan nga, biro ko, bakit hindi siya nababalitang bakla! Siya yung fly high and proud ang drama. Alam ng lahat, walang kiyeme, walang pretentions. Simply bakla. Hindi half man, half dinosaur. Buong buo. Pamintang buo. ‘Yun na. Hindi ganito si one great love. In fact, feeling ko’y hindi s’ya kailanman magiging tulad ni ‘ Te na hopeless romantic.
school. At k a h i t magaling s’ya sa photoshop eh alam kong hindi ‘yun produkto nu’n. May jowang Briton sabi ng isang dating kaklase. Inisponsoran ang balakang, silicon, at tabletang hormones para maghugis at tabas babae. Kiki na lang ang kulang. Badaf daw ito. BAbae DAFat. Babae na talaga lahat pero ‘pag sinundan mo ang rainbow after the rain, lalaki ang makikita sa dulo katabi ng mga lepricon sa ibabaw ng pot of gold habang nagja-jackstones.
tinitikman niya dahil malapit na siyang manawa sa chocolate flavor. Naisip ko, ito siguro ang grey area na sinasabi nila na binanggit ko na rin kanina. Na tina-try niya munang lagyan ng sigla ang boring na black at lagyan ng attitude ang virgin na white. Iyon ang interpretation
Pamintang durog kasama ang higit sa matinding pagnanais na magkaroon ng normal na sistema equals confusion equals bisexuality siguro, I mean oo pala. Ito ang matagal na niyang ina-underscore sa akin – na hindi ko s’ya mage-gets at hindi ko mage-gets ang mundong pareho naming kinukulayan. Sabi ni one great love sa akin dati, gusto niyang magkapamilya, anak at asawa. I’ll put it this way, parang for now, vanilla-flavored ice cream muna ang
pinaka hindi nakikitang pitak. Pero kahit hindi nakikita, nanunuot sa ilong ang makakating piraso ng katotohanang nagdudulot ng interjection na “achoo!” Pamintang durog – ginagamit na code dahil hindi pa “out.” Sa ibang bersyon, closeta. ‘Yung militar si ama kaya afraid ang lola na mag spread his wings and prepare to fly butterfly o sa isang dulo ng spectrum, ‘yung ayaw mag-out dahil matatapos ang career sa pananamantala sa mga kaibigang kasabay maligo at umihi. In one way, si B2 si one great love.
Mali pala ang unawa ko. Wrong sent. Ang hindi ko pala alam ay hindi ang kabaklaan. Hindi ang panghihinayang sa kabadingan ni B1 o ang composition ng suso ng badaf na si Alexis. Hindi ang katipikalan ni ‘Te o ang bahing na dulot ng pamintang durog na si B2. Lalong hindi ang bisexuality ni one great love. Nararamdaman. Marami pala akong hindi nararamdaman.
Siguro, nagawa ko mang icategorize ang akala kong pinupunto ni one great love, mali pa rin ako ng konek. Na, artipisyal ang alam ko o ang mga alam ng klaseng kagaya ko’y nang-uri ng pagkatao batay sa itsurang kinaiinggitan ko rin naman kahit balikwas sa alam ko at sa alam ng marami.
Hindi ko nagamit ang ni-review ko. Pinipili ko kase, ng lamang loob ko, na namnamin na lang ang mga moments na kasama siya, kahit late siya lagi, kaysa litanyahan ng exhibit A, B, at C. Mas ginugusto ko kasing makibalita sa mga nangyari sa mga panahong hindi kami nagkita, lalo na ang dami ng cellphone na nanakaw o naiwala dahil sa kaburaraan niya. Mas sinusunod kong makinig sa kwento ng sex life n’ya, ng adventures n’ya, ng edad ng bago n’yang jowa at ng pag-iinsist n’yang mas mabuti kung friends kami. “Para ‘yun lang?” biro kong may kasamang luha, inis at pasasalamat. Mas pinili ko siya kesa ako at ang dala kong dahilan. Hindi ko nga pala talaga siya kilala, o ang sarili ko rin o kahit sino pa man.
Hindi naman dumating iyong pagkakataong hinihintay ko. ‘Yung pagkakataong hindi siya makasasagot dahil barado siya sa mga sasabihin ko, sa mga na-review kong ebidensiya. Laging ako ang barado. Sa pakikipag-usap ko sa kaniya bumabawi ang mga speechless moments – ipinaghihiganti ang mga nilait ko at pinagtawanan. “Sa wakas…,” ika nila, “…hindi ka makapupuntos kay one great love,” sabay halakhak ng walang control. “Buti nga sa iyo!” dagdag pa.
ko sa mga shine-share n’yang buhaybuhay. Iyon ang tinanggap ko.
Death became her. Like withered leaves in autumn or great drought in summer, she felt emptied and succumbed from bleakness. This Monday morning when Vicky woke up, she felt that everything was dry, docile, even bootless. She felt purposeless, laying sprawled under her sheets for couple of hours after dawn, watching how the earth changed from absolute blanket of darkness to stillness of gray, to hazy purple as morning approached. Death. Death. Death. The word kept on ringing as she was staring outside the window, her unblinking eyes straining and eventually made them limpid red. How she longed for the word to embrace her, to enter her lungs and suffocate her. How she yearned for the word to strangle her neck and take out all her breath, take her oxygen away. How she wished she could take its sharp edge against her wrist, watching jovially, how blood would pour from its slit, staining her body, intoxicating her waiting pores. But in the end, she would think this longing would just go in vain, she, being the greatest coward who’d ever live. After all, she learned to live in great tumult everyday. It was running in her blood, circulating in her vein. Pain was not a new phenomenon to her. Consumed with so much existentialism, she got up from bed and headed to her bathroom. After a couple of minutes of banging under her shower, simply wasting water, she went out of the bathroom, uncaring of dripping water messing the carpet and proceeded on ransacking her closet. After settling to pairs of pink trousers and blackhooded shirt, paired with demonic anklets and tribal necklaces which her mother found eccentric and detested the most, she left her room firmed to call this day a day, despite the consumption of depression in her body. Downstairs, she knew her mother, with all her crowning glory, had already prepared her usual breakfast before heading to her office. Before leaving, she noticed a wooden bracelet sitting over her diary at her side table, a bracelet that was not her own, but decided to simply shrug it away.
School for Vicky had always been doleful, having classmates that could be replaced with empty-handed Barbie dolls, or frat boys as stupid ogres. Her professors were far less stimulating— they were more of robots mechanically feeding instructions to students, totally unfeeling and void of emotions. They’re just that. Bore. Bore. Bore. While listening to Paul Weller on her mp3 and feeling disgusted with classmates talking about stupid reality shows and cheesy
girl magazines, the word death continued to reverberate in her ear. She didn’t know why it kept on ringing, it was starting to get on her nerves. She wondered where Brando was. He just told her last night that he would fetch her today and they would go for a night with his band in Dumaguete. Perhaps he wouldn’t come. Perhaps he’s flirting with other bitches again. That bullshit. He had always kept her hanging. She felt tired of his alibis. Just wait and see and she’d show him.
IV.
Having fed-up with her classes, Vicky decided to go home early and stayed in confines of her room, perhaps she would continue reading Sophie’s World or gum her ears with mp3. Upon entering the house, she realized nobody was home. Mom should be here, perhaps she’s on her bedroom, she thought to herself, right after checking the empty kitchen. Vicky went straight to her bedroom, death swarming inside her head trying while listening to Fiona Apple, not minding the t o absence of her mother. remember if she Would it be nice to end her life by taking really closed her Aerosol or Baygon? But she thought of its taste window before leaving and hastily dismissed the idea. She snatched her this morning. She really was diary and started scribbling the list of possible sure she did. ways of taking her life. Some, like hanging herself Wheeling around, her on the ceiling and slitting her wrist with blade or peripheral vision caught a shadow moving something, seemed too trite, too outside the door of her room. commonplace. Same thing goes with popping her mouth with pills, for she loathed the idea of gradual killing. She preferred drastic and undeterred death. It seemed to lessen the pain. After dismissing the idea of Perhaps, Mom? Vicky thought jumping over her window which to herself. That bitch, she definitely would not kill her muttered angrily. She was because of the bushes always like this, moving on her possible around the house without landing, she noticing her, without even checking that she’s already here, her only daughter. Could have at least tried to act like a mother. She must be preparing again for a date, Vicky thought. Since her Dad died years ago, her mother had been acting like a lady fresh in her youth, entertaining suitors younger than her age, sometimes even her daughter’s age, flirting with them openly in her coquettish manners and flaring dresses. That slut. Perhaps she would talk to her mother about this, about her disapproval in her mother’s unbecoming lifestyle and un-motherly actions. She knew she just had to do it. hurled her diary at the corner most part of her room, feeling bloated. She hadn’t eaten anything since this morning. And why did she crave so much for death? T h e sudden swish of curtain in gush of wind interrupted her blankly staring in space. With narrowed eyebrows, Vicky closed the window,
V.
V.
diary.
She furiously went outside her room and headed to the other side of the house, next to library where the Master’s bedroom was. It somehow disheveled Vicky that all the lamps along the hallway were still out, despite the fact that it’s already darkening outside. As light poured along the corridor after switching them on, a strange sight appeared to her. There lying innocently on the floor was a bracelet, a black tribal beads with black gothic cross as a pendant. She couldn’t remember having the same kind in her collection, it was not hers, but it seemed familiar to her. Somehow, this whole thing was familiar to her, like it already happened in her past life like a déjà vu. She curiously picked it up and checked. It suddenly dawned on her that it was the same bracelet she noticed in her bedside table this morning. But what was it doing in this hallway? Vicky continued pacing towards the Master’s bedroom. In each step, she noticed blood stains on the floor and spots on the wallpaper, all dried and darkened. Vicky gasped as the sight of a gun lying on the floor loomed on her. It was her father’s gun. Trembling, she picked it up and felt the coldness of its barrel crawling in her skin, to her spine, up to her skull. Her eyes flew to the door of her parents’ bedroom as it made a creaking sound, it slightly opened in mild sweep of wind. At the foot of the ajar door, Vicky saw something her eyes could not believe. There at the foot of the door lying was her
Michael V. Mariano
…I just arrived from school when I noticed that Mom’s still not around. Kind of new to me. She would always arrive as early as she could to fix herself for her usual date. I decided to check her room, just to check if she’s there. I know she’d get pissed finding me entering her room, she hated my presence so much,
Agape, Vicky picked it up, wondering how the hell her diary went here. She remembered hurling it to her room a while ago. There must be something wrong happening in here, she thought to herself, fighting not to scream in mild sweep of cold wind on her skin. She never believed in supernatural, all her life she believed that everything could be explained. But how could she explain this gun, this bracelet, those blood stains, much more her diary in this deserted hallway? She flicked the pages of her diary and found out, in disbelief, that her suicidal lists were gone. This is impossible! What she found out in her last entry was something she could not remember writing, though it was obviously hers because of the penmanship. Her mind didn’t want to read it, but she felt she could find something in her unknown entry that would explain everything to her.
VI.
III.
I. II.
but what the hell. Along my path in hallway, I noticed a bracelet lying on the floor. As I picked it up, I realized it was Brando’s. But how did it go there?
I went straight to my Mom’s bedroom but before I could knock, I heard someone moaning and mildly screeching. I knew it, I knew she’s having sex with someone again, with guys who could pass as her sons, desecrating my father’s memory in that bedroom. I decided to peep just to check who’s her latest. With every fraction and slight movement, I opened the door. I saw them, her new sex toy. It was Brando, my boyfriend for months, lying naked in the bed, moaning my mother’s name. And there she was, the slut, on top of him, gyrating over his thighs like a sex slave. Perhaps it blinded me, but dear Diary, I never mean it. You must understand how it was for me to catch my mother and my boyfriend in bed, and yes, I got my father’s gun hidden in the library, and silently went back to my mother’s room. You should have seen their faces when I opened the door, but I wasted no time and gunned them down. How sweet for both of them to call my name in their very last breath, as I tore their flesh with bullets. I’ve never seen like this in my life and I had to laugh dear Diary, I had to…
Vicky’s face was wet with tears. She could not believe it, killing her own mother and her boyfriend. But she remembered it now, the rage that she had, the very moment that she saw them. It was too vivid. Vicky wiped her tears and continued reading.
Death became me, dear Diary. Like withered leaves in autumn or a great drought in summer, I felt emptied and succumbed from bleakness. It would be nonsense if I would just leave them here, in this room, I will never let them become lovers again even after their death, so I decided to kill myself too. I will haunt them, I promised it to myself. And with the last bullet, I aimed it in my stomach, I read it in the book The Da Vinci Code that it would be the best way to kill a person, for it prolongs excruciating pain before death. I should have been dead by now, I don’t know why I still breathe, but I can feel it now, I can feel it now…
Vicky, her whole body trembling in sudden realization, snatched her shirt upward and checked her tummy. There it was, the hole where the bullet passed, now gangrened with yellowish pus and worms. The door of master’s bedroom flew open in instance, wind sweeping her over, and there at the bed she saw her mother’s corpse on top of Brando’s decaying body. And at the foot of the bed was her own body, her face was ghastly with her mouth and blood-shot eyes wide-open. Her blood all over the floor has long been dried. Before she could so much react, her eyes caught the reflection in her mother’s vanity mirror: there they are, mother and Brando, naked and pallid, their translucent bodies buoyed in mid-air, their eyes blankly staring at her.
Vicky screamed in fear, in rage, in disbelief; a scream the neighborhood would only think as a sweep of amihan wind rustling the trees. The gun, the bracelet and her diary fell from her translucent hands, and landed in spot exactly where Vicky first picked them all.
Si
Tata Ruben sa
CARP
Angst
“Sa umaga, kape lang ang laman ng tiyan ko. Pagkatapos makainom, sabak na agad sa bukid. Maghapon na ‘yon. Tanim, tanim, pahinga. Tapos tanim uli. Swerte na kung may pananghalian. Madalas kasi kamote o mais lang, sasabayan lang ng tubig na malamig o kape. Sa hapon, mayroon namang tinapay. ‘Yun lang at nakakaraos na kami.” ○
ni Mar Florence C. Sebastian
at ang Kaniyang
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“Kinabukasan, ganoon uli. Walang pinagbago, iyong kakanin lang. Minsan, kanin at sardinas. Minsan gulay, swerte kapag ganoon. Minsan kasi, wala ni anuman. Wala talaga. Nagtitiis na lang hanggang makauwi at dun na kami kakain. Nadadala naman kase ng payosi-yosi e. Ayos na ‘yon.” ○
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“Kapag anihan, mga limang sakong palay ang napupunta sa’min. E magkano lang naman ang palay? 100 per sako ngayon. Nakikisaka lang naman kami. Wala kaming lupa.” ○
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Langit, lupa, impyerno(?)
Base sa mga pag-aaral na nadaluhan ko, sinasabing 75% daw ng mga Pilipino ang magsasaka. Parang ‘di naman kapani-paniwala. Sa panahon ngayon, wala nang gustong magsaka. Nakabilad ka ba naman kasi sa init maghapon. Tapos, magkano lang naman ang kinikita nila ‘di ba? No wonder lahat ng mga kabataan, maski anak ng magsasaka, umiiwas na sa trabahong ganun. Mas masarap kayang mag-nurse kesa magsaka. May kumukuha pa ba ng Agriculture ngayon? Walang ganoong course sa BulSU e. Karaniwan nilang tinatanim ay palay, minsa’y tubo, ‘yung matamis at nginingima-ngima ko nung bata, ‘di kaya nama’y mais. Ilang dekada na raw alipin ng mga panginoong maylupa ang mga magsasaka. Naisip ko tuloy, ano ba ‘yung panginoong maylupa? Landlord daw ‘yun sa English. E, ang alam ko, mga may-ari ng apartment ‘yun ‘di ba? Kapag babae, landlady. Pero ‘yun daw ang tawag dun. Hindi ko nga rin alam kung paanong naaalipin ng mga landlord ‘yung mga magsasaka. Ang sabi lang sa’min, ipagsigawan daw naming ibasura ‘yung CARP. Sumama raw kami sa rali para matigil na ‘yung pang-aalipin sa mga magsasaka at ipagkaloob na ‘yung mga lupang dapat ay sa kanila. Sumama naman ako. Nakakatuwa kasing mag-rali, dami mong makikilala. Tapos iba pala ang feeling ng “nandun” ka, ibang-iba sa napapanood ko sa tv, astig! Tapos sisigaw kayo ng kung anu-ano. Hanggang sa nakilala ko si Tata Ruben sa isang pagdalaw sa kanayunan para kilalanin ‘yung mga tao ‘run. Siya ‘yung nagkwento sa’kin ng lahat tungkol sa lupang pinakaaasam-asam ng mga magbubukid. Siya ang nagmulat sa’kin sa lahat ng bagay na dapat kong malaman. Ayon kay Tata Ruben, maraming magsasaka ang walang sariling lupa. Karamihan sa kanila ay nagiging trabahador ng mga haciendero, ‘yun ‘yung mga nagmamay-ari ng ekta-ektaryang lupain. Sila ‘yung mga panginoong maylupa. Nabanggit nya pa na sa isang buong araw na pagtatrabaho, 50 pesos lang ang sweldo ng mga magsasaka.. Naisip ko, sapat ba ‘yun para makabuhay ng isang pamilya? E pang-kain ko lang ‘yun ng sizzling sa Kapitolyo.
Magtanim ay ‘di biro 20 taon na ang nakararaan, binuo ng gobyerno ang CARP, o Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. Ngunit sabi ni Tata Ruben, mas pinalala lang raw nito ang paghihirap ng mga magsasaka at ang tunggalian sa lupa. Tinanong ko siya kung paano. Mahabang kwento, inabot siya ng isang araw para mailahad lang sa’kin lahat. Ewan ko kung tama ‘yung pagkakaintindi ko.
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Binigyang-laya daw ng CARP ang ilang mga panukalang pumapabor sa mga haciendero, katulad ng Stock Distribution Option. Dito, 30 araw magtatrabaho sa lupa ang magsasaka. Tapos nun, magkakaroon ng share o bahagi ang magsasaka sa kita ng hacienda. Kumbaga, magiging kasosyo sya sa aanihin. Galing no? Parang tumaas ang lebel ng magsasaka. Kaya lang, may naisip na paraan ‘yung mga panginoong maylupa. Hindi pinagtatrabaho ang magsasaka ng higit sa 30 araw. Kapag ganoon, hindi magkakaroon ng bahagi ang magsasaka sa kabuuang kita ng taniman. Isa pang dahilan na sinabi sa akin ni Tata Ruben ang isang kundisyon upang magkaroon ng sariling lupa- ang pagbabayad ng amortization nito. Buwan-buwan ‘yun kailangang hulugan ng magsasaka hanggang sa makabayad siya. Kapag hindi niya ito nabayaran ng sunod-sunod na buwan, babawiin ng gobyerno ang lupa. Wala din naman daw nangyari sa mga binuong kooperatiba, sistemang pang-irigasyon, at pinagawang farm-to-market roads. Nasayang lang. Hindi naman daw kasi nito nasuportahan ang mga nagsasariling magsasaka. Lalo pa silang nabaon sa utang. Kaya maraming magbubukid ang natakot magsarili at magkaroon ng sariling lupa. Mainam na raw iyong may kinikita kahit kaunti kesa mabaon sa utang. Marami rin sa kanila ang nagbenta na lang ng mga titulo. At saan nila binenta? Sa mga haciendero.
CARP vs. GARB Sa mga kadahilanang iyon, ipinaglalaban ngayon nina Tata Ruben kasama ng mga unyong pang-magsasaka ang isang makatotohanang reporma sa lupa sa pamamagitan ng GARB o Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill. Sa nabasa ko, ang layunin at prinsipyo ng GARB ay basagin ang monopolyo sa lupa at kontrol sa lupa ng mga Panginoong May Lupa (PML) at dayuhan, libreng pamamahagi sa lupa at pawiin ang lahat ng pagsasamantala sa kanayunan, at pataasin ang produktibidad at kita ng magsasaka. Sakop ng GARB ang lahat ng lupang agrikultural, anuman ang namamayaning relasyon nito sa produksyon, lupang ginagamit ng mga korporasyong katulad ng DOLE at Del Monte Philippines, at iba pang dapat sa magsasaka.
Saka na lang Sa mga nalaman ko kay Tata Ruben, nagpasya akong ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral sa tunay na senaryo sa bansa, kasama ng iba pang estudyanteng nagnanais mamulat sa kalagayan ng Pilipinas. Maraming problema ang nalantad sa aking isipan, at marami pang dapat malaman. Sa ngayon, nagpasya akong ipagpatuloy ang pakikibaka sa paghingi ng tunay na reporma sa lupa kasama nina Tata Ruben.
November 2008 - March 2009
John Kelvin R. Briones To hell with whatever reason Rico “the hot guy” Blanco (as female music channel VJs put it in perfect collegiala accent) had that he decided to leave Rivermaya and went solo. What his listeners care about now is that he’s back to 1.) Give all the more reasons to believe that he is the heart and soul of Rivermaya and 2.) give us music coming straight from his universe ready to bring back the memory of first kiss, first romance, and a whole lot of other firsts in us. Rico opens his first music box as a soloist with the song “Say Forever”, which stands out among all the tracks in the package with its ultrasonic mood created by the 80’s sounding drumbeat, a very groovy bass-line courtesy of former Ehead Buddy Zabala, and easy guitar riffs with complex sound waves produced by synthesizers (which are almost always present in all the songs) resounding much like the New Wave version of “Melt with You”, of course, minus the relaxing saxophone solo. The lyrics are as sweet, though. The accent Rico uses in the song, actually in all the songs in English, especially in “Your Universe”, which is the title track, is obviously suggesting the influence behind the music – British pop. It’s as though he has adapted the musical aspect of the genre in terms of its singers’ manner of word articulation, short but striking lyrics, and fine frenzy mood of good summer afternoon music. This style adds distinction to his current career from his performance in Rivermaya way back. To add to this is the uncomplicated and smooth-flowing use of bilingualism in most of the songs in Filipino in the tracks “Ayuz” that goes ‘Sa love life mong panis Control + Alt + Delete… lahat ng hassle ay mawawala’; “Para hindi ka mawala”, ‘…’pag diniscuss ko pa mawi-weird-an ka lang, ‘pag nag-emote ako lalo kang tatabang.’; “Antukin”, ‘…tadhana’y medyo over-rated kung minsan… nothing will ever break us, wala talaga, as in wala.’ While many artists have also been using this kind of style in song and poetry writing, many still claim that Rico is the best song writer in EnglishFilipino. One even said, “Parang ‘di
mauubusan ng bala si Rico.” The truth is that he has more options in wordplay, knowing that he uses both the English and the Filipino languages. No wonder the songs have a different flavor even if they are as common as fishballs on the street side. Nevertheless, this romantic hasn’t failed in presenting charming lines in our second language. For instance in the song “Helpless” that speaks of how this particular person makes him “addicted to [her] tender kisses” and how “it’s keeping [him] up all night”. “Your Universe”, as the heart of the album, tenderly speaks of how lucky he is to be encapsulated in her universe, as opposed to what the object of his affection implies. Truly, the crafty simplicity of the lines and melody will keep you singing out loud in shower rooms - more like an LSS (last song syndrome). And to close the set is a surreal song “Metropolis” that exhorts you to take a nap on Friday siesta with its dreamlike synthesizer tone as if it’s Rico’s aim in releasing the album. And we cannot help but ponder on the carrier single “Yugto” about its downright meaning. We might associate the lyrics of the
song with RB’s relationship with the current Rivermaya members. Rico has been silent about it, though. A line from the song says, “…sa gitna ng kadiliman may ahas na hahalik, tatawagin mong kaibigan na pinakamatalik, pupulupot sa leeg mo’t sisipsip ng iyong dugo, ipapako ka sa krus kapag ikaw ay natuyo…” This line in the track suggests the idea, or might prove the story behind. Collectively, the good thing about this ‘collection of pick-up lines’ is that despite being ‘mushy’, they don’t extend to aspirational baby-making music and scratchy emo wordplay. And by the way, though the album was released in August 2008, it sure is just in time to give sweethearts and suitehearts even an anthem to sing on cheesy February days. Or if you’re single as hell, or you just broke up with your girl/boyfriend, you could just listen to them while lazying on Sunday afternoons particularly the very despondent “Start Again”, the 5th track which is very apologetic and easy you couldn’t help but play it on repeat. But, the approach is completely different; believe me, as compared to emo songs parading the same emotions over again. Look now, just when we all thought Urbandub, Sandwich, and Pupil, to name the innovative some, have already come up with the best of Pinoy music comes Rico Blanco with his universe to offer.
Sa promosyon pa lamang ng Ploning, lubha na itong kakaiba sa nakagawiang istorya ng pelikulang Pilipino. Idagdag pa ang kantang di mo man mabatid ang ibig sabihin, ay umaakit naman sa pandinig. Tunay nang ang pelikulang ito ay may kakaibang mundo. Isang palaisipang nakasasabik tuklasin kasama ang mga misteryo at lihim ng gugma ni Ploning Ang pelikula ay binuo ng kumbinasyon ng mga beterano at baguhang aktor sa industriya: Judy Ann Santos bilang PLONING; Gina Pareño bilang INTANG; Mylene Dizon CELESTE; Meryl Soriano ALMA; Ces Quesada NIEVES; Tony Mabesa SUSING; Crispin Pineda TOTING; Eugene Domingo JUANING; Tessie Tomas SELING / MATANDANG CELESTE; Ketchup Eusebio BADOCDOC; Ronnie Lazaro MATANDANG VELING; Joel Torre MATANDANG SILOY / MAYOR; Beth Tamayo DIVINA; Jojit Lorenzo BASIT; Spanky Manikan TSUY; Ipinakikilala sina Cedric Amit DIGO; Lucas Agustin SILOY; Ogoy Agustin VELING; at Bodjong Fernandez MUO SEI. Nilaro ng mga aktor ang pelikula sa malumanay nilang pag-arte na nagpalutang sa ganda ng kakaibang istorya ni Ploning. Hindi rin nila birong pinag-aralan at ginamit ang lenggwahe ng mga Cuyonon. Sinulat ng baguhan ngunit may pinatunayang direktor na si Dante Nico Garcia ang istorya na kinuhanan naman ng bihasang cinematograper na si Charlie Peralta.
http://ploning.multiply.com/journal http://www.ploningthemovie.com/ about_filmmakers.html Nakakainis sa simula ang salitang Cuyonon. Parang Cebuanong hindi naman. Nakakaloko ang pagkakahawig ng dalawang dayalekto. Ngunit sa huli, nangibabaw ang kakaibang tono ng Cuyonon na tila lipos ng diwa at pangaral. Humakot ng iba-ibang impresyon ang Ploning sa mga manonood. Pinuna at binansagang simple ngunit kakaiba, maramdamin sa kapuri-puring paraan at kinilalang isang obra-maestra. Tumakbo ang istorya sa istilo ng flashbacking. Pista ng bayan sa Cuyo, Palawan nang isang mangingisda mula Taiwan, si Muo Sei, ang dumayo upang alamin kung ano o sino si Ploning. Pilit niyang inisip ang dahilan ng palagian nyang pagsambit sa pangalang “Ploning” sa mga panaginip nya sa loob ng 25 taon. Kasabay ng paghahanap nya ang kanyang pagtuklas sa tunay nyang pagkatao. Sa loob ng isang araw, pilit tinuklas ni Muo Sei ang nakaraan nya, iniisip na sa Cuyo niya ito makikita, sa b a y a n g
Kulang ang kaliwa’t kanang nominasyon at parangal kumpara sa naidulot ng pelikulang indie na tumatak sa maraming Pilipino noong nakaraang taon. Kamakailan, tinangka itong isali sa Oscar’s awards para sa kategoryang Foreign Language Film. Hindi man pinalad, hindi pa rin maitatanggi ang kalidad ng pelikulang nagmula sa isang awiting bayan ng Cuyo, Palawan tungkol sa pag-ibig na walanghanggan at sa isang babaeng misteryosa, mapaglihim at malalim. Ang Ploning ni Dante Nico Garcia, indie film na walang dudang ipinagmalaki at ipagmamalaki ng Pilipinas.
misteryosong nagluwal sa kanya. Natuklasan niyang mahalaga sa maraming tao ng Cuyo si Ploning, dahil sa maigting nitong pagmamahal na ipinauulan sa mga taong nakapaligid sa kaniya sa panahon ng literal na tagtuyot at kawalan ng ulan sa Cuyo. Nakabibingi ang katahimikan ni Ploning. Ngunit matapos ang mga rebelasyong lumantad kay Muo Sei, isa na si Tomas, ang lalaking pag-ibig ni Ploning, na lumayo papuntang Maynila at iniwang naghihintay ang dalaga, Araw rin ng pista nang magkasabay na bumuhos ang ulan at ang kasagutan sa likod ng katahimikan ni Ploning. Nakakagulat ang pagtatapos ng pelikula. Hindi mo aasahang ganoon kapayak ilalahad ang mga sagot sa mga katanungan sa buhay ni Ploning. Sa simpleng paraan naipahayag ay simple ring aral ng kwento. Pilit tayong naghahanap ng mga bagay na wala sa atin. Pilit nagtatanong nang di namamalayang ang mga sagot ay nasa harap lamang natin. Pilit naglalakbay patungo sa mga sagot na abot-tanaw lamang natin. Ang gugma ni Ploning, malihim man at payak, ay maraming nag-uumapaw sa aral ng buhay. Sa bandang huli, hindi nag-iisa si Ploning. Nabubuhay siya sa mga taong nais makilala ang Pilipinas ang Diyos at higit sa lahat, sa mga taong nais makabatid sa tunay na pinagmumulan ng pag-ibig na walang hangganpayak ngunit malalim.
Ploning
Elaiza R. Banasig
Gugma ni
Ang
Ang ng Alamat Anito ○
Kati ganto yun, may nakita akong mam na naniningi ng alay ta mga etudyante nya. Tapot nalinig ko na ayaw nya ng ipupupoo lan nya. (Yak aman!) Nun tumunod na bukat nikita ko uli tiya ta itang lum. Nibebenta nya yun buk ta mga etudyante nya kato nagleleklamo tila kati ma-al daw. Tapot, nipakinggan ko tila ta kabilang lum. Tabi ni mami, matama law makinig ta utapan ng iba, kato di ko matiit na di tila pakinggan. Guto mo ba malaman nadinig ko? O tige. Nadinig ko na ang magtatama at maglelekold ng itkol ng buong klate ay ang tekletaly dun. Tapot...tapot nitabi pa nya yun ibang gagawin ng klate ta olat nya. Tapot ng itang buwan nakita ko uli ti mam abang nagpe-play ato ng balbi ko.
Tabi ng etudyante nya: Naku nikakakaba aman. Tana makapata yun ginawa natin. (Yun iba etudyante binabata uli mga gawa nila, ta toblang kaba namumutla na.) Naku yan na tiya. “O ita-itang glup lan papatok ta lum ha”, tabi ni mam. “O tige upo na kayo dito malapit ta lameta ko”, nidugtong pa nya. “Mam eto na po gawa namin.” “Ano dala nyo?” etudyante 1: Po? etudyante 2: Yun dala law natin. “A eto po dala amin, bato po yan, babatagin.” “A naku atid nyo ko maya a, baka indi ko mabu-at laat yan.” etudyante 3: Eto na po gawa namin. “Tino may gawa nito?”
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Ako po ti Tabelita, nakatila ta lum ti-o-teben, lohat hol, titu ta bi-et-yu! Tabi ni mami ko, malami law mga nanyayali ta amin ang nikikita ng iba pelo indi nibibigyan pantin. An totoo, ita ko ta nakapantin ta nitatabi ni mami. Ngayon alaw tatabi-in ko tayo nikita ko. (Takut ato!) Tabi ni mami wak daw ko maingay pelo kun guto mo malaman wento ko, plamit mo muna na indi mo pagtatabi a. Plamit? Otei, tiklet lan natin to a! Wak ka maingay. SSSsssshhhhh! ○
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makomplit? “May guto ako buk, bili nyo na lan ako pala pampakomplit. Kelangan ko yon e.” “Ha, o tige po. Bibilin po namin.” “Bigyan nyo na lan ako ng payb hunded petot at ako na bibili. Mat magatot kati kun kayo pa bibili. Tayang pamatahe.”
Noon kuanan ng klatkald… (ta liblaly) etudyante: Kukunin ko po gleyd ng tektyon amin. “Napata na ba nyo mga liblo nyo takin?” “Opo, nibigay ko na lin po lekold ng gleyd amin.” “A ganun ba. Tandali lan tutulat ko lan gleyd nyo.” “O tige po.” “O eto na.” Paglabat ng liblaly... klatmeyt: Tagal mo aman ta loob. Atan na mga gleyd amin? “Eto na. Natagalan kati itinulat pa ita-ita kato nikakataka naitulat nya mga gleyd natin na walang kopya ta alap nya.” (Wil op poltune kati nanyali lun. Kung ano matapat na gleyd tayo kahit na magaling ka, toli na lan pag mababa natapat tayo.)
“Kelangan nyo bumili ng buk. Lawa to. Ma-al to dati pelo bebenta ko ta inyo ng mula”, tabi ni mam. “E batet po tila yun alap? Oo nga po, palang nabata ng ulan. Agnat na”, tabi ng mga etudyante. “Indi ma-alaga yun takip. Ang ma-alaga yun laman.” “A ganun po ba?” “Bukat bili na kayo at malami kayo tatagutan dito.” Nibili mga etudyante ng buk pelo naitoli lin nila kati nga pangit na, tayang pela. Buti aman at nitatatama na nila mga mali dati. (Beli gud!)
May palt 3 pa! Eto... mam: Imkomplit kayo. etudyante: Po? Ano po dapat namin gawin pala
Eto o...
Ay tandali lang! Tawag na ko nanay ko. Mentol panalan nya. Wak ka maingay a. Wak mo tatabihin ta kanya na nikwento ko tayo yun mga yun a. Tige ta tutunod na pagkikita natin, wentuhan uli kita. Babayyyyy! Tiya nga pala konlatuleytyon ta Oktyon in Aktyon ni mami Mentol noon pawndeytyon wik. Yeey! Galing-galing. Nipaaabot nya patatalamat nya ta mga taong tumulong ta kanya at ta mga nagbid at nanalo. Tenkyu tenyo!
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“Disagree, kasi gusto ko PDM. Kasi sila yung gustong magpababa ng tuition.” (Raymond Adriano, BSEd 2C)
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“Amazed ako kasi isa lang yung nalaglag sa ASAP, kumbaga parang nakakapagtaka.” (BSEd 3C)
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“Ayos lang pero ‘di ako bumoto kasi kahit magbago ng mga leaders wala pa ring mangyayari.” (Gelli Concepcion,BSEd 3G)
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“‘Di na nakakagulat ‘yung result. Parang expected na maistraight ng ASAP kase malakas ang hatak nila kaysa sa PDM.” (Angel Assasin, BSEd 1A)
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“Okay lang naman. Sana yung mga nanalo mapaglingkuran ‘yung mga estudyante, ‘yung tamang paglilingkod.” (BSEd 2E)
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“Masyadong malaking pader yung binabangga ng PDM kahit PDM kami.” (Philip Tan, BSEd 1A)
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“Okay lang pero sana siguro mas maganda kung hindi solid ‘yung nanalo. Kasi kapag isang partido lang e lalaki ‘yung tendency na magkaroon ng discrepancy.” (Rachelle Tongol, BSEd 3G)
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“Okay lang kung ‘yun ‘yung result as long as tutuparin nila ‘yung pinangako nila. Wala naman sa partido iyon kundi nasa ipinaglalaban. Dapat may sarili silang paninindigan at hindi sila after sa anino ng partido na kinabibilangan nila.” (Lovely Isip, BSEd 3G)
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“Hindi naman ganoon kahalaga kung sino yung nanalo. Sana lang maramdaman ng mga estudyante ‘yung pagbabagong dulot ng eleksyon.” (Violy Lyn Giron, BSEd 3G) “Naging smooth ‘yung eleksyon saka fair naman pero napansin ko lang ang ASAP kase mas may experience yung candidates nila kesa sa PDM.” (Mark Kevin Olimba, BSEd 4A)· “Medyo nakakapagtaka lang kasi landslide yung result. Medyo may konting doubt pero tingin ko e may credibility naman.”” (Jaehadd Lou Untalan, BSEd 1A)
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Kala ko uling alaw na yun na makikita ko tiya pelo hindi pa pala yun uli. Nun tumunod na taon nikita ko na aman tiya ta itang lum. Nipakinggan ko uli tiya.
ebrero 26 nang maganap ang Student Government (SG) Elections 2009 at ang patuloy na labanan sa pagitan ng ASAP at PDM. Pumagitna sa laban ang boto ng bawat estudyante. Inawat ng resulta ang mahabang kompetisyon ng mga pangako at plataporma. Kinabukasan, umalingawngaw na ang pagtatapos ng round. Sa harap ng kabi-kabilang ispekulasyon, ikaw, ano ang reaksyon mo sa lumabas na resulta?
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“Kami po tatlo.” “O tige kaw muna, paliwanag mo pamagat.” (Natapot magpaliwanag tatlo ng ala pa limang minuto. Di aman ata tiya nikinig.) Paglabat ng lum... etudyante 1: Batet ganon, palan andali ng nigawa natin? Kala ko pa aman tatayo ita-ita ta halap tapot papaliwanag. etudyante 2: Oo nga, pano kaya tayo gi-gleydan? etudyante 3: Balaha na. (Natapot buong alaw na pulo ganon nanyali.) O diba kakaiba nanyali? Kita ko yun! Laatlaat yun! Glabe no? Kilala mo ba ti mam? Di pa tapot, may palt 2 pa yun wento ko.
Ngayon, ikaw naman ang kailangan nito.
BEDSPACE BEDSPACE
Photo taken by: Charles Bryan Acosta
Matapos ang implementasyon ng President’s Memorandum sa lahat ng organisasyon sa BulSU na nagpahinto sa paniningil ng involuntary membership fee, tuluyang naparalisa ang operasyon ng publikasyon. Alam
Ngayon, ikaw naman ang hinihingan nito ng suporta. Upang mapanatiling buhay ang ATING publikasyon, hinihingi namin ang inyong suporta sa muling pagbabalik ng kada semestreng Publication Fee na nagsilbing dugo at buhay sa pagsusulong ng mga mithiin ng pangkampus na pahayagan. Sa loob ng maraming taon, ang salaping inyong ibinibigay ang siyang nananatiling susi, hindi lamang sa pagpapanatili ng buhay ng publikasyon kundi ito rin ang dahilan upang mapatunayan ng mga magaaral sa Kolehiyo ng Edukasyon ang kanilang angking talento sa larangan ng pagsusulat at pamamahayag. Sa diwang ito, tanging ang inyong suporta bilang mga estudyante ang siyang NATITIRANG sagot sa pananatili ng ATING PUBLIKASYON. Huwag nating hayaan na sa loob ng isang iglap ay MAWALA ang dekadang kasaysayan ng mulat na pagsusulat gayundin ang institusyong tumugaygay at nagsilbi sa ating mahal na kolehiyo. S a p a g k a t ngayon, IKAW na lamang ang natitira nitong TAGAPAGLIGTAS.
Reference: http://www. kellys.com/know.html
N g u n i t hindi rito nagtatapos ang lahat. Sa maraming taong pag-iral nito ay dumaan na rin ang publikasyon sa samu’t saring suliranin na sumubok sa katatagan nito. Ngayon ay kinakaharap nito ang pinakamalaki sa lahat ng pagsubok.
nating ang buhay ng publikasyon ay nasa mga manunulat nito. Gayunpaman, esensyal ang salapi upang maipatupad ang mga proyekto at adhikain nito.
The most sensitive finger is the forefinger.
Mahigit isang dekada na ring umiiral ang THE MENTORS’ JOURNAL. Labintatlong taon na itong pumapaimbulong sa serbisyo ng pagmumulat at paglilinang ng kaisipan ng mga estudyante. Naging behikulo ito ng mga kritikal at progresibong kaisipang nagtataguyod sa kapakanan ng kolehiyo at ng bumubuo nito. Naging simbulo na rin ito ng Kolehiyo ng Edukasyon pagdating sa kahusayan ng mga mag-aaral sa larangan ng pamamahayag.
The flag of the Philippines is the only national flag that is flown differently during times of peace or war.
(Isang kampanya sa pagpapanatili ng The Mentors’ Journal, opisyal na pang-estudyanteng pahayagan sa Kolehiyo ng Edukasyon)
Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors.
Silakbo ng PLUMA
The term “devil’s advocate” comes from the Roman Catholic Church. When deciding if someone should become a saint, a devil’s advocate is always appointed to give an alternative view.
November 2008 - March 2009
John Kelvin R. Briones Remember our music, Our throbbing pulses, In that bathroom In that bed. Remember our breath, searing the holiness in us by that Intimate heat, humming with lemon, forever brushing
All I know is that they’ve never been the same. happy afternoon suffocated with eternity what-feels-like yesterday’s talk shrewd acts penetrating our souls intimidating glimpses ending in abysmal euphoria. We used to be one. everyday used to be in realm of bliss. but now. neuroses. insipid days. intricate minds. embracing us, love, is nothing but pure irony.
Allende
Forsaken
Muse
You and me. Remember me sucking the air you hardly inhaled, exhaled, and digested. Remember my tongue, My mismanaged hair, Your sandpaper palm on my working jaw, my strength at your intimacy, At your intimacy, and all the infatuation I Actively told, among others we decided Not to explain nor regret.
Siya at ang Kan’yang ‘di Kilalang Bulkan sa Albay Gelo
Sipat
Mark Anthony de Lara Matagal na rin kaming nakatira dito sa Payatas. Normal na sakin
Kumbar Lee
yung mga eksenang nasaksihan ko kanina. Walang bago; walang kakaiba.
Madawag ang pag-asang sinilip ka ng mga matang balot hindi ng mga bituin sa gabing maaliwalas
basura. Noong isang linggo nga lang, isang binata naman ang nailibing
o ng buwang nagbabadya ng romantikong magdamag. Sinipat ka ng palihim. Lihim na tinatantya ang distansya sa pagitan nating singlapit ng ‘sang dangkal, singlayo ng sampung milyang alinlangan. Katumbas ng sulyap ang nakababatong ekspresyon na walang ekspresyon. Sinipat ka ng palihim habang balot ng hiwaga ang aliwalas sa ‘yong mga mata, habang hindi pa kumukupas ang ningning ng gabi; habang abala ka sa sarili mong lihim at kagyat na sipat sa kan’ya.
Dalawang bata na naman ang nadaganan ng mga bulto ng ng buhay kasama ng umaalingasaw na basura, kasama ng mga pangarap n’ya. Dito na ‘ko lumaki. Dito ko na nga inubos lahat ng lakas ko sa loob ng dalawampung taon. Ni hindi na ‘ko nakatuntong ng eskwelahan dahil sa kahirapan namin. Nabanggit ko na bang wala na ‘kong mga magulang? Namatay na kase ang Nanay pagkapanganak sa bunso naming si Nene. Si itay naman, ayun sinukuan ang sobra naming hirap. Noong kinse pa lang ako nakita na lang namin s’yang lumulutang sa ilog. Duwag s’ya. Pero iba ‘ko sa kan’ya. Magiging matatag ako kina Nene at Totoy. Maingay ang paligid. Naghaharutan ang mga batang kasabay kong mangalakal ng basura. Ang ibang tsismosa nama’y sumisige na sa maghapong dakdakan. Dito sa marusing at masukal na lugar ng Payatas Damsayt – dito ko sinimulang mangarap, marunong pala ‘ko nun? Dito ko rin pinagsikapang tuparin ang mga ‘yon. Dito sa lugar na hindi ko kakikitaan ng anumang pag-asa maliban sa mga basurang kinakalkal namin, makabili lang ng sardinas o payless. Simple lang naman ang pangarap ko, makakain ng disente, tatlong beses sa isang araw, makapagtapos kahit grade six. Kahit ba ‘yung tipong masabi lang na nakapagtapos ako. Pagkatapus nun, gusto ko rin sanang mapag-aral ang dalawa kong kapatid. Makapagpatayo ng sariling bahay, yung malayo sana sa Payatas; at maikasal balang araw. Simple lang ang mga pangarap ko pero kahit yata ilang beses kong makalahig ang mga gabundok na basura sa Payatas – kahit pa nga siguro lahat na ng basurahan sa Pilipinas, walang matutupad sa mga ‘yon. Kahit isa.
Dr. Avelina M. Aquino, Ms. Carmelita Sanga, Ms. Emelita Laganao, Ms. Catherine Tolentino, Ms. Catherine Lazaro, Mr. Bryan Amiel De Jesus, Mr. Joseph Roy Celestino, Dean Rey Naguit, Mr. Bobby Lopez, Mr. Marlon Santos, Mrs. Thea Magdayao, Mrs. Dinia Reyes, Mrs. Yolanda Villavicencio, Mrs. Ria Ruth Isip, Ms. Marilyn Reyes, Ms. Shella Del Rosario, Mrs. Analyn Pascual, Mark Rossem Garcia, Mylene Padua, Al Romuald Estrella, Mrs. Remedios Azarcon, Dr. Bonifacio Cunanan, Mrs. Vicky Cahanding, Dean Luzviminda Tantoco, Dr. Remigio Musca, Rowell “’Te” Castro, Bianca Micaela Espeleta, Mrs. Ria Maglonzo, Mrs. Susana Galvez, Ms. Michelle Manghinang, Dr. Renato Godoy, Dr. Teody San Andres, Mr. Manolito Mata, Mr. Edelberto Larin, Mrs. Cristy Reyes, Dean Victor Ramos, Mrs. Carmela De Borja, Bullet Lazaro Siongco, Dianne Kristine Montales, Angelo Vincent Tuazon Del Rosario, Michael Mariano, Ammarie Cruz (at sa mga hindi nabanggit, ang inyong walang kapalit na pagtulong ay lubos naming pinahahalagahan at tinatanaw na malaking utang na loob) Mayabang kami. At mayabang kami dahil sa kanila at sa iyo. Gusto pa sana naming magyabang…
Mayabang kami. Mayabang kami dahil tumagal kami hanggang dito. Isang pagkakataong iilan lamang ang napagkakatiwalaan. Pero higit kaming mayabang dahil nakamit namin ang pagtitiwalang ito dahil sa mga taong sumuporta, maliit man o malaki, lihim man o lantad. Sila ang mga taong nagpahiram ng isa pang hininga sa The Mentors’ Journal. Hindi kayang buuin ng konstelasyon ang uniberso ng pasasalamat sa mga sumusunod:
Tatlong maiksing oras lamang ng aking buhay ang nakabahagi sa kanyang pagmamahal sa hindi kilala n’yang bulkan sa Albay. Wala sa aking akala ang payak na lupang tatsulok na ipinagmamainam niya. Ngunit hindi ako nagtaka. Pinagbukasan ng nag-aalburutong dugong bumubuo sa kan’yang pagkatao na pinananalaytay naman niya sa mga letrang humihiwa at nagbabalik ng dugo na pula na kalauna’y ididilig sa lupang pinanggalingan din niya. Hindi na rin ako nagtanong kung bakit higit pa sa maningning ang dinanas ng kanyang mata nang dumampi ang mga ito sa pigurang pinatanda ng dantaon at binubuhay ng pag-ibig Nagluwal siya ng luha ng hindi dalamhati at hindi rin kuntento. Inilubog man sa distansya ng bato at disyerto ang panahon, naghimagsik naman ito’t bumawi sa tatlong oras na hindi maaalis sa aking kasaysayan.
Kwentong Basura
Maingay ang paligid; patuloy ang paghaharutan ng mga batang
kasabay kong nagkakalakal ng basura. Ang mga tsismosa nama’y sumisige pa rin sa maghapong dakdakan. May halos tatlong oras na siguro akong nakababad sa ilalim ng
nakapapasong init ng araw. May tatlong oras na rin akong nagtitiis sa pinaghalong gutom at pagkahilo dala ng alingasaw ng paligid. Tatlong lata ng softdrinks, limang lata ng sardinas at mangilanngilang bote na plastic na pwedeng ibenta: ‘yan pa lang ang laman ng sako ko. Tuloy bigla akong napag-isip. Magkano man ang halaga nito’y alam kong kulang pa para matupad alin man sa mga pangarap ko. Kulang na kulang pa pambili ng disenteng kabaong para sa dalawa kong kapatid.